Independent control of phase and power in spatially variant self-collimating photonic crystals.

Self-collimating photonic crystals are a promising technology to control waves in optical devices. A technique was recently developed that can bend, twist, and otherwise spatially vary a photonic crystal without deforming the unit cells, as this would weaken or destroy the optical properties. Applying this to self-collimating photonic crystals allows us to control multiple properties of light at the same time. A spatially variant self-collimating photonic crystal is shown that decouples the phase and power of the wave and controls them independently and at the same time within the same volume. This creates new physical mechanisms from which to design optical systems. Some possible applications include miniaturization of optical systems, integrated optics, beam steering, and imaging, among others.