Bound states in the Brillouin zone continuum

Abstract

Systems with space-periodic Hamiltonians have unique scattering properties. The discrete translational symmetry associated with periodicity of the Hamiltonian creates scattering channels that govern the scattering process. We consider a two-dimensional scattering system in which one dimension is a periodic lattice and the other is localized in space. The scattering and decay processes can then be described in terms of channels indexed by the Bloch momentum. We find the 1D periodic lattice can sustain two types of bound states in the positive energy continuum (BICs): one protected by reflection symmetry, the other protected by discrete translational symmetry. The lattice also sustains long-lived quasibound states. We expect that our results can be generalized to the behavior of states in the continuum of 2D periodic lattices.