Experimental realisation of tunable ferroelectric/superconductor $$({\text {B}} {\text {T}} {\text {O}}/{\text {Y}} {\text {B}}{\text {C}} {\text {O}})_{{\text {N}}}/{\text {S}}{\text {T}}{\text {O}}$$ 1D photonic crystals in the whole visible spectrum

AbstractEmergent technologies that make use of novel materials and quantum properties of light states are at the forefront in the race for the physical implementation, encoding and transmission of information. Photonic crystals (PCs) enter this paradigm with optical materials that allow the control of light propagation and can be used for optical communication, and photonics and electronics integration, making use of materials ranging from semiconductors, to metals, metamaterials, and topological insulators, to mention but a few. Here, we show how designer superconductor materials integrated into PCs fabrication allow for an extraordinary reduction of electromagnetic waves damping, making possible their optimal propagation and tuning through the structure, below critical superconductor temperature. We experimentally demonstrate, for the first time, a successful integration of ferroelectric and superconductor materials into a one-dimensional (1D) PC composed of $$({\text {B}}{\text {T}}{\text {O}}/{\text {Y}}{\text {B}}{\text {C}} {\text {O}})_{{\text {N}}}/{\text {S}}{\text {T}}{\text {O}}$$(BTO/YBCO)N/STO bilayers that work in the whole visible spectrum, and below (and above) critical superconductor temperature $$T_C=80\, {\hbox {K}}$$TC=80K. Theoretical calculations support, for different number of bilayers N, the effectiveness of the produced 1D PCs and may pave the way for novel optoelectronics integration and information processing in the visible spectrum, while preserving their electric and optical properties.