Negative refraction, subwavelength focusing and beam formation by photonic crystals

We present a review of our experimental and numerical studies on the negative refraction related phenomena in two-dimensional dielectric photonic crystals (PCs). By employing photonic bands with appropriate dispersion, the propagation of the electromagnetic wave through a PC can be controlled to a large extent, and diverse and completely novel electromagnetic phenomena can be generated. We perform the spectral analysis of the negative refraction arising from a convex TM polarized photonic band of a hexagonal PC. As a consequence of negative refraction, we demonstrate a photonic crystal flat lens, which has the ability to focus electromagnetic waves and provide subwavelength resolution laterally. Finally, a photonic crystal with an embedded source is shown to provide a highly directional beam, which can be utilized in certain antenna applications. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)