Area scalable and period manipulable three-dimensional optically induced photorefractive photonic periodic crystal or aperiodic quasicrystal

We experimentally investigate the formation of area-scalable three-dimensional (3D) photonic periodic crystal and aperiodic quasicrystal in an iron doped lithium niobate photorefractive material by multi-wedge prisms assisted compact and versatile single step optical induction approach. The induced large-area lattice microstructures are analyzed and verified by plane wave guiding, Brillouin-zone spectroscopy, far field diffraction pattern imaging, angle-dependent transmission spectra. Our technique can be easily expanded for the larger area of photonic periodic crystal or aperiodic quasicrystal microstructures. We also demonstrate experimentally and theoretically the manipulation to the period of 3D photorefractive photonic lattices by engineered vertex angle of multi-wedge prisms. The intensity analyses of interference light fields show that (1) the 3D photonic lattice has not only different Z-axis longitudinal structure, but also different X–Y front structure to the corresponding 2D photonic lattice, and (2) there exist three sets of sub-lattices which are mutually nested to form the 3D triangle photonic crystal.