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We systematically study a collection of refractive phenomena that can possibly occur at the interface of a two-dimensional photonic crystal with the use of the wave vector diagram formalism. Cases with a single propagating beam (in the positive or negative direction) as well as cases with birefringence were observed. We examine carefully the conditions to obtain a single propagating beam inside the photonic crystal lattice. Our results indicate that the presence of multiple reflected beams in the medium of incidence is neither a prerequisite nor does it imply multiple refracted beams. We characterize our results with respect to the origin of the propagating beam and the nature of propagation (left-handed or not). We identified four distinct cases that lead to a negatively refracted beam. Under these findings, the definition of phase velocity in a periodic medium is reexamined and its physical interpretation discussed. To determine the ``rightness'' of propagation, we propose a wedge-type experiment. We discuss the intricate details for an appropriate wedge design for different types of cases in triangular and square structures. We extend our theoretical analysis and examine our conclusions as one moves from the limit of photonic crystals with high-index contrast between the constituent dielectrics to photonic crystals with low modulation of the refractive index. Finally, we examine the ``rightness'' of propagation in the one-dimensional multilayer medium and obtain conditions that are different from those of two-dimensional systems.
Foteinopoulou et al. (Mon,) studied this question.