Broadband Bragg phenomenon in a uniform medium

Abstract

A new mechanism of Bragg reflection is identified, one that, remarkably, occurs in a uniform medium and relies on resonant tuning of the medium's parameters. Due to uniformity, reflection ensues over a broad wavelength range, much like a metal, but it is polarization dependent: one circular state is reflected, whilst the other is transmitted. Such a medium can thus provide a broadband, low-loss polarization divider/combiner. Assessment of the required parameters suggests that manufacturing is within range of current metamaterials technology. By externally regulating the medium's parameters, a highly efficient optical modulator is possible with potential applications across optics, optoelectronics, and photonics.