Three dimensional photonic crystals can be modeled by the Maxwell equations as a generalized eigenvalue problem (GEVP). Simulations based on the numerical solutions of the GEVP are used to reveal physical properties and boost innovative applications of photonic crystals. However, to solve these GEVP remains a computational challenge in both timing and accuracy. The GEVP corresponding to the pho...

We demonstrate the existence of a spectrally narrow localized surface state, the so-called optical Tamm state, at the interface between one-dimensional magnetophotonic and nonmagnetic photonic crystals. The state is spectrally located inside the photonic band gaps of each of the photonic crystals comprising this magnetophotonic structure. This state is associated with a sharp transmission peak ...

The creation of large-area, unintentional-defect-free three-dimensional (3D) photonic crystals in the optical regime is a key challenge toward the realization of the arbitrary 3D manipulation of photons. In this article, we discuss an advanced fabrication method of 3D silicon photonic crystals based on the highly accurate alignment and wafer bonding of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers. We intr...

This paper presents a theoretical optical data pathway model. The goal is to evaluate the physics behind photonic crystal/photon relationships and to develop a theoretical model for photonic crystal implementation into VLSI system design. This paper will begin with the exploration of the fundamentals of wave propagation in photonic crystals, development of an optical transmitting device (laser ...

Photonic-bandgap materials, with periodicity in one, two or three dimensions, offer control of spontaneous emission and photon localization. Low-threshold lasing has been demonstrated in two-dimensional photonic-bandgap materials, both with distributed feedback and defect modes. Liquid crystals with chiral constituents exhibit mesophases with modulated ground states. Helical cholesterics are on...

Lasing is obtained from a two-dimensional (2D) Penrose photonic quasicrystal made of a low index contrast material of holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystals (H-PDLCs) that enables a substantial reduction in the optical pumping threshold. This lasing architecture further allows for excellent linear polarization characteristics as well as wide directional dependence. The pumping threshold ...

We present a finite-element simulation tool for calculating light fields in 3D nano-optical devices. This allows to solve challenging problems on a standard personal computer. We present solutions to eigenvalue problems, like Bloch-type eigenvalues in photonic crystals and photonic crystal waveguides, and to scattering problems, like the transmission through finite photonic crystals. The discre...

To clarify the nature of photonic band gaps, a series of calculations on two-dimensional photonic crystals is undertaken. Systems that possess a large gap for one polarization and no gap for the other polarization are analyzed. Two features of a photonic crystal that give rise to a large photonic band gap for each polarization, i.e., connectivity and concentration of the dielectric material, ar...

We quantitatively analyze the structure of thin film inverse-opal photonic crystals composed of ordered arrays of air pores in a background of titania. Ordering of the sphere template and introduction of the titania background were performed simultaneously in the thin film photonic crystals. Nondestructive optical measurements of backfilling with high refractive index liquids, angle-resolved re...

Nonlinear photonic crystals can be used to provide phase matching for frequency conversion in optically isotropic materials. The phase-matching mechanism proposed here is a combination of form birefringence and phase velocity dispersion in a periodic structure. Since the phase matching relies on the geometry of the photonic crystal, it becomes possible to use highly nonlinear materials. This is...