Abstract

The physics of light scattering by media inhomogeneities is a fundamental physical problem. Media inhomogeneities usually lead to scattering and reflection of incident light, and complete transmission may arise at specific resonant frequencies, such as Fabry-Perot resonances. Most remarkably, incident wave packets with broad frequency spectra can be fully transmitted when the modulation profile belongs to a class of reflectionless potentials [1]. The concept of reflectionless potentials is based on special mathematical techniques, which are well established for layered media with gradually varying refractive index [2]. However, it remained an open question how these powerful concepts could be applied to waveguides created in periodic photonic structures, featuring strong and abrupt refractive index modulation. Resolution of this question would open new possibilities for manipulation of slow-light pulses, beam shaping, also offering practical realization of invisible photonic-crystal cavities.

© 2009 IEEE