The possibility of viewing the Abrikosov vortices arranged into two-dimensional triangular lattices in type-II superconductors in external magnetic fields, as photonic crystals for electromagnetic waves, has been investigated theoretically. Due to the Bragg diffraction on a periodic lattice, electromagnetic waves with wavelengths corresponding to lattice spacings cannot propagate in the Abrikosov lattices with different dielectric constants inside and outside the vortices. Conditions for obtaining effective properties of the Abrikosov lattices as photonic crystals by changing of Ginzburg-Landau parameters and applied magnetic fields are clarified.

• Received 2 March 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.70.085109