Robust wide zero-average-index gap in photonic heterostructures that incorporate left-handed materials

In this article, we theoretically study electromagnetic waves that propagate in a one-dimensional photonic heterostructure that contains left-handed materials. We suggest a type of heterostructure that is composed of two photonic crystals (PCs) that consist of different materials, rather than the previously studied heterostructures that are based on changing the thicknesses of alternating layers, to target zero-average-index gap enlargement. Numerical calculations of the transmittance show that the suggested structure possesses an ultra-wide zero-average-index gap that is robust for both transverse electric and magnetic polarizations. The demonstrated wide gap is independent of the incidence angle. The proposed structure works as a perfect stop-band filter, which completely blocks both polarizations, and may have many other potential applications.