Reconfigurable 3D photonic lattices by optical induction for optical control of beam propagation

We report on our recent theoretical and experimental studies of three-dimensional (3D) photonic lattice structures which are established in a bulk nonlinear crystal by employing different optical induction techniques. These 3D photonic lattices bring about new opportunities for controlling the flow of light via coupling engineering originated from the lattice modulation along the beam propagation direction. By fine tuning the lattice parameters, we observe a host of unusual behaviors of beam propagation in such reconfigurable 3D lattices, including enhanced discrete diffraction, light tunneling inhibition-better known as coherent destruction of tunneling (CDT), anomalous diffraction, negative refraction, as well as CDT-based image transmission. In addition, we propose and demonstrate a new way of creating 3D ionic-type photonic lattices by controlled Talbot effect.