  The interaction of polarized light with photonic crystals exhibit unique
features due to its sub-wavelength nature on the surface and the periodic
variation of refractive index in the depth of the crystals. Here, we present a
detailed study of polarization anisotropy in light scattering associated with
three-dimensional photonic crystals with face centered cubic symmetry over a
broad wavelength and angular range. The polarization anisotropy leads to a
shift in the conventional Brewster angle defined for a planar interface with
certain refractive index. The observed shift in Brewster angle strongly depends
on the index contrast and lattice constant. Polarization-dependent stop gap
measurements are performed on photonic crystals with different index contrast
and lattice constants. These measurements indicate unique stop gap branching at
high-symmetry points in the Brillouin zone of the photonic crystals. The
inherited stop gap branching is observed for TE polarization whereas that is
suppressed for TM polarization as a consequence of Brewster effect. Our results
have consequences in the polarized light-scattering from plasmonic structures
and dielectric meta-surfaces and are also useful in applications like
nano-scale polarization splitters and lasers.
