Omnidirectional mirror based on Bragg stacks with a periodic gain-loss modulation

Abstract

In this work we demonstrate that a Bragg Stack with a periodic gain-loss modulation can function as an Omnidirectional Mirror (OM) with complete reflection at any angle of incidence irrespective of the light polarization. The Bragg Stack is composed by the periodic variation of two layers with the same value of the real part of the refractive index (nr) and a periodic modulation in the imaginary part (ni). The origin of the band gaps is due to the interference of complex waves with propagating and evanescent fields in each layer. It is found that the band gaps are wider as the contrast ni/nr increases. We have found the ambient conditions to obtain an OM considering an auxiliary medium n′ external to the Bragg Stack.