Propagation of photons by hopping: A waveguiding mechanism through localized coupled cavities in three-dimensional photonic crystals

A new type of waveguiding mechanism in three-dimensional photonic band-gap structures is demonstrated. Photons propagate through strongly localized defect cavities due to coupling between adjacent cavity modes. High transmission of the electromagnetic waves, nearly 100%, is observed for various waveguide structures even if the cavities are placed along an arbitrarily shaped path. The dispersion relation of the waveguiding band is obtained from transmission-phase measurements, and this relation is well explained within the tight-binding photon picture. The coupled-cavity waveguides may have practical importance for development of optoelectronic components and circuits.