Subpicosecond shifting of the photonic band gap in a three-dimensional photonic crystal

Abstract

We demonstrate spectral shifting of the photonic band gap in a three-dimensional photonic crystal within a time of less than 350fs. Single 120fs high-power optical pulses are capable to induce the transition from the semiconductor to the metallic phase of VO2 in the pores of our artificial silica opal. The phase transition produces a substantial decrease of the real part of the effective refractive index of the photonic crystal and shifts the spectral position of the photonic band gap.