Resonant photonic crystals based on van der Waals heterostructures for effective light pulse retardation

We propose to use 2D monolayers possessing optical gaps and high exciton oscillator strength as an element of one-dimensional resonant photonic crystals. We demonstrate that such systems are promising for the creation of effective and compact delay units. In transition-metal-dichalcogenide-based structures where the frequencies of Bragg and exciton resonances are close, a propagating short pulse can be slowed down by few picoseconds while pulse intensity decreases only 2-5 times. This is realized at the frequency of the “slow” mode situated within the stopband. The pulse retardation and attenuation can be controlled by detuning the Bragg frequency from the exciton resonance frequency.