Photonic gap vanishing in one-dimensional photonic crystals with single-negative metamaterials

The properties of photonic band gap in one-dimensional photonic crystals composed of single-negative metamaterials are studied theoretically. Our study shows that the photonic gap will vanish at a certain incident angle when both the phase-match and impedance-match conditions are satisfied simultaneously, suggesting that the bandwidth and location of the photonic gap are strongly dependent on the incident angle and polarization. However, the photonic gap will not vanish and may become insensitive to the incident angle when the two match conditions cannot be met. Our study also shows that losses in metamaterials have little effect on the properties of the photonic gap.

► Photonic gap of 1D photonic crystal containing metamaterials was investigated.
► The gap can be designed to be sensitive or insensitive to the incident angle.
► The gap can be designed to be close at a specific incident angle.
► Conditions for photonic gap vanishing were proposed.
► Losses of metamaterials have little effect on the properties of the photonic gap.