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Authors: J.D. Joannopoulos and M. Soljačić (MIT) . IRG-III Highlight: One-way photonic behavior.
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Authors: J.D. Joannopoulos and M. Soljačić (MIT) IRG-III Highlight: One-way photonic behavior Researchers of the MIT MRSEC report experimental observation of photonic crystals that restrict light to travel in only one direction without back-scattering, even in the presence of large disorders. In experiments, a microwave light beam is sent through the edge (a waveguide) of an array of small ceramic rods placed under an external magnetic field. Rather than bounce back or reflect, the light is able to move around obstacles and defects in its path without scattering. This concept could be used to create one-way conduits in lightwave circuits, such as fiber-optic communication links, by increasing their capacity and efficiency. Potential practical applications include optical information storage. This research also opens up a wide range of possibilities of using photonic structures to study topological orders that were so far only observed in electronic systems. Figure: Structure of microwave waveguide supporting chiral edge states. This work was supported by the NSF MRSEC Program (award number DMR-0819762). Z. Wang, Y. Chong, J.D. Joannopoulos & M. Soljačić. Observation of unidirectional backscattering-immune topological electromagnetic states. Nature 461, 772-775 (2009).