Fano feature induced by a bound state in the continuum via resonant state expansion

Hybrid Tamm and quasi-BIC microcavity modes

The microcavity in the form of a liquid crystal defect layer embedded in a one-dimensional photonic crystal is considered. The microcavity mode has a tunable radiation decay rate in the vicinity of a bound state in the continuum. It is demonstrated that coupling between the microcavity mode and a Tamm plasmon polariton results in hybrid Tamm-microcavity modes with a tunable Q factor. The measured spectral features of hybrid modes are explained in the framework of the temporal coupled mode theory.

Bound states in the continuum in anisotropic photonic crystal slabs

We investigate the bound states in the continuum (BICs) in photonic crystal slabs composed of alternating anisotropic and isotropic dielectric materials. According to the orientation of optical axis plane, three different configurations are proposed for analyzing various types of BICs, associated with extremely large quality factors and vanishing spectral linewidths. In particular, symmetry-protected (SP) BICs exist at the Brillouin zone center for zero rotation angle of the optical axis, which exhibit antisymmetric field patterns that are decoupled from the symmetric radiating fields. Accidental BICs and Friedrich-Wintgen (FW) BICs also occur at the Brillouin zone center for particular rotation angles of the optical axis. The former emerge on isolated bands with quasi-symmetric or quasi-antisymmetric field patterns, while the latter appear near the avoided crossing between two dispersion bands. At off the Brillouin zone center, SP BICs do not exist while accidental BICs and FW BICs appear at particular optical axis rotation angles, with similar features but somewhat more asymmetric field patterns than those at the Brillouin zone center.

Voltage-tunable Q factor in a photonic crystal microcavity

A photonic crystal microcavity with a tunable quality factor (Q factor) has been implemented on the basis of a bound state in the continuum using the advanced liquid crystal cell technology platform. It has been shown that the Q factor of the microcavity changes from 100 to 360 in the voltage range of 0.6 V.

Bound states in the continuum in asymmetric one-dimensional photonic crystal systems guided by anisotropy

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) have been widely observed in many symmetric geometries in the optical system during the last decade. Here, we consider a scenario in which the structure is designed asymmetrically with anisotropic birefringent material embedded in one-dimensional photonic crystals. This kind of new shape opens the possibility of obtaining symmetry-protected BICs (SP-BICs) and Friedrich-Wintgen BICs (FW-BICs) form in tunable anisotropy axis tilt. Interestingly, these BICs can be observed as high-Q resonances by variation of the system's parameters, such as the incident angle, which means the structure without being injected at Brewster's angle can also achieve BICs. Our findings might achieve active regulation and are easy to manufacture.

Refractive index sensing with optical bound states in the continuum

We consider refractive index sensing with optical bounds states in the continuum (BICs) in dielectric gratings. Applying a perturbative approach we derived the differential sensitivity and the figure of merit of a sensor operating in the spectral vicinity of a BIC. Optimisation design approach for engineering an effective sensor is proposed. An analytic formula for the maximal sensitivity with an optical BIC is derived. The results are supplied with straightforward numerical simulations.