Localized modes in chiral photonic structures

Abstract

We discuss chiral structures in self-organizing, artificial, and biological materials. A review of experimental studies and recent advances in the localization of light in chiral structures is given. The behavior of polarized resonant modes in such structures is examined using the example of a one-dimensional photonic crystal containing liquid crystal materials. The anomalous spectral shifts of transmission peaks are interpreted as the contribution of the geometric phase caused by the twisting of the layers of the liquid crystal. The optical Tamm state localized at the boundary between chiral and nonchiral mirrors in the form of a cholesteric layer and a polarization-preserving anisotropic mirror is analytically and numerically described. Considerable attention is paid to the presentation of the properties of localized optical modes in the cholesteric with a resonant metal-dielectric nanocomposite. New possibilities for controlling the properties of the photonic structure are noted, due to the combination of the dispersion of the resonant medium and the intrinsic dispersion of the cholesteric. Attention is focused on controlled hybrid modes in the cholesteric structure formed by the coupling of localized modes. Possible applications and further ways of developing the concept of chiral photonic structures are deliberated.