Abstract: A system and a method for generating terahertz (THz) radiation are provided. The system includes a photonic crystal structure comprising at least one nonlinear material that enables optical rectification. The photonic crystal structure is configured to have the suitable transverse dispersion relations and enhanced density photonic states so as to allow THz radiation to be emitted efficiently when an optical or near infrared pulse travels through the nonlinear part of the photonic crystal.

Abstract: A system and a method for generating terahertz (THz) radiation are provided. The system includes a photonic crystal structure comprising at least one nonlinear material that enables optical rectification. The photonic crystal structure is configured to have the suitable transverse dispersion relations and enhanced density photonic states so as to allow THz radiation to be emitted efficiently when an optical or near infrared pulse travels through the nonlinear part of the photonic crystal.

Abstract: A new class of surface plasmon waveguides is presented. The basis of these structures is the presence of surface plasmon modes, supported on the interfaces between the dielectric regions and the flat unpatterned surface of a bulk metallic substrate. The waveguides discussed here are promising to have significant applications in the field of nanophotonics by being able to simultaneously shrink length, time and energy scales, allowing for easy coupling over their entire bandwidth of operation, and exhibiting minimal absorption losses limited only by the intrinsic loss of the metallic substrate. These principles can be used for many frequency regimes (from GHz and lower, all the way to optical).

Abstract: An optical modulator includes a crystal structure that exhibits polaritonic or excitonic behavior. A shock wave propagates through the crystal structure so as to optically modulate and manipulate a light signal propagating in the crystal structure.

Abstract: A device for converting frequency of electromagnetic radiation includes a nonlinear medium that forms a moving grating in the nonlinear medium by introducing at opposite ends of the nonlinear medium a first set of electromagnetic radiation having varying frequencies. Electromagnetic radiation is inputted into the nonlinear medium at a first frequency and extracted at a second frequency from the nonlinear medium. The moving grating in the nonlinear medium allows for electromagnetic radiation to be converted into the second frequency.

Abstract: A new class of surface plasmon waveguides is presented. The basis of these structures is the presence of surface plasmon modes, supported on the interfaces between the dielectric regions and the flat unpatterned surface of a bulk metallic substrate. The waveguides discussed here are promising to have significant applications in the field of nanophotonics by being able to simultaneously shrink length, time and energy scales, allowing for easy coupling over their entire bandwidth of operation, and exhibiting minimal absorption losses limited only by the intrinsic loss of the metallic substrate. These principles can be used for many frequency regimes (from GHz and lower, all the way to optical).

Abstract: An optical modulator includes a crystal structure that exhibits polaritonic or excitonic behavior. A shock wave propagates through the crystal structure so as to optically modulate and manipulate a light signal propagating in the crystal structure.

Abstract: A device for converting frequency of electromagnetic radiation includes a nonlinear medium that forms a moving grating in the nonlinear medium by introducing at opposite ends of the nonlinear medium a first set of electromagnetic radiation having varying frequencies. Electromagnetic radiation is inputted into the nonlinear medium at a first frequency and extracted at a second frequency from the nonlinear medium. The moving grating in the nonlinear medium allows for electromagnetic radiation to be converted into the second frequency.

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.

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.