Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation is input into a photonic crystal having a shock wave propagating within, wherein interactions between the shock wave and the incident electromagnetic radiation provide for the modification of frequency and bandwidth associated with input electromagnetic radiation. Modifications in frequency of the electromagnetic radiation are on the order of the gap size with 100% efficiency in some cases. Additionally, the bandwidth associated with the electromagnetic radiation is increased or decreased by orders of magnitude based on such interactions. High amplitudes are trapped at the shock front for a controllable period of time, allowing for the controlled manipulation of pulses of light. Lastly, the incorporation of deliberately designed crystal defects and non-linear materials results in the conversion of all the energy in the defect band upwards in frequency if the highest group velocity is less than the shock wave speed.