Transverse localization of light in 1D disordered waveguide lattices with backbone photonic bandgap

Abstract

The role of a prominent photonic bandgap (PBG) on the phenomenon of transverse localization of light in a semi-infinite lossless waveguide lattice consisting of evanescently coupled disordered one-dimensional optical waveguides has been investigated numerically. The interplay between the underlying photonic bandgap due to inherent periodicity of the optical system and various levels of deliberately induced transverse disorder in its refractive index periodicity has been studied. We show that the PBG indeed plays an important role and its simultaneous presence could catalyze realization of localized light even when strength of disorder is not sufficiently strong to independently cause localization of light. An important outcome of this study revealed that PBG could be gainfully exploited to tailor the spectral window for localization of light in potential applications like lasing in a disordered optical lattice.