Pyroelectric control of the superprism effect in a lithium niobate photonic crystal in slow light configuration

Abstract

In this letter, tunability of the beam deviation on a two dimensional lithium niobate photonic crystal superprism is experimentally demonstrated thanks to the pyroelectric effect. Since the superprism geometry has been designed in a slow light configuration, the observed pyroelectric beam steering tunability is considerably enhanced. A beam deviation of 3.4°/°C has been experimentally measured for a working wavelength of 1565 nm. Direct applications can be found as ultracompact highly effective temperature variation sensors. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.