We investigate the use of a Genetic Algorithm (GA) to design a set of photonic crystals (PCs) in one and two dimensions. Our flexible design methodology allows us to optimize PC structures for specific objectives. In this paper, we report the results of several such GA-based PC optimizations. We show that the GA performs well even in very complex design spaces, and therefore has great potential...

In this paper, we present the simulation results on the absorption modification in a two-dimensional photonic crystal slab (2D PCS) structure, based on three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain technique (3D FDTD). Significantly enhanced absorption at defect level was obtained at surface normal direction in a single defect photonic crystal cavity, for both in-plane and vertical sources. A...

Electronic devices and their highly integrated components formed from semiconductor crystals contain complex three-dimensional (3D) arrangements of elements and wiring. Photonic crystals, being analogous to semiconductor crystals, are expected to require a 3D structure to form successful optoelectronic devices. Here, we report a novel fabrication technology for a semiconductor 3D photonic cryst...

We have described a new and promising strategy for the fabrication of composite and porous photonic crystal microparticles that combines the self-assembly of colloidal particles with photolithography techniques. We fabricated silica/SU-8 composite microparticles with photonic bandgaps via four steps: (1) deposition of the silica colloidal crystals on the photoresist, (2) embedding of the colloi...

We present an algorithm for the maximization of photonic bandgaps in two-dimensional crystals. Once the translational symmetries of the underlying structure have been imposed, our algorithm finds a global maximal (and complete, if one exists) bandgap. Additionally, we prove two remarkable results related to maximal bandgaps: the so-called ‘maximum contrast’ rule, and about the location in the B...

Single-mode Bragg grating reflection has been achieved in all-solid photonic bandgap fibers by use of femtosecond laser pulse irradiation through a phase mask. The grating created is confined to the all-silica fiber core region and exhibits higher thermal stability than other type I femtosecond-pulse-induced gratings.

We study analytically the optical properties of several types of defect in Bragg multiple-quantum-well structures. We show that a single defect leads to two local polariton modes in the photonic bandgap. These modes lead to peculiarities in reflection and transmission spectra. Detailed recommendations for experimental observation of the effects studied here are given.

The angular dependence of the hyper-Rayleigh scattered light intensity from a suspension of bacteriorhodopsin has been analyzed. The observation calls for combination of the second-order nonlinear hyperpolarizability of the retinal chromophore with the linear refractive index of the apo-protein matrix. The structuring of the small nonlinear chromophore in the large linear matrix imparts propert...

We study the control of modulational instability and pattern formation in a nonlinear dissipative feedback system with a periodic modulation of the material refractive index. We use a one-dimensional photonic lattice in a single-mirror feedback configuration and identify three mechanisms for pattern control: bandgap suppression of instability modes, periodicity induced pattern modes, and orient...

We review an ongoing program of interdisciplinary research aimed at developing hardware and protocols for quantum communication networks. Our primary experimental goals are to demonstrate quantum state mapping from storage/processing media (internal states of trapped atoms) to transmission media (optical photons), and to investigate a nanotechnology paradigm for cavity QED that would involve th...