Linear discrete diffraction and transverse localization of light in two-dimensional backbone lattices.

We study the linear discrete diffraction characteristics of light in two-dimensional backbone lattices. It is found that, as the refractive index modulation depth of the backbone lattice increases, high-order band gaps become open and broad in sequence, and the allowed band curves of the Floquet-Bloch modes become flat gradually. As a result, the diffraction pattern at the exit face converges gradually for both the on-site and off-site excitation cases. Particularly, when the refractive index modulation depth of the backbone lattice is high enough, for example, on the order of 0.01 for a square lattice, the light wave propagating in the backbone lattice will be localized in transverse dimension for both the on-site and off-site excitation cases. This is because only the first several allowed bands with nearly flat band curves are excited in the lattice, and the transverse expansion velocities of the Floquet-Bloch modes in these flat allowed bands approach to zero. Such a linear transverse localization of light may have potential applications in navigating light propagation dynamics and optical signal processing.