Analysis of one-dimensional and two-dimensional photonic band gap structures designed with PMNT a low index dielectric material and applications to optical communication

The design and fabrication of photonic band gap (PBG) structures is currently one of the most intense topics of study in the field of optical communications. In a PBG structure there are wavelength regions through which light can not pass and those regions are called photonic band gaps. By optimizing the structures the band gaps can be engineered as needed and light can be manipulated within these structures. Compared to semiconductor devices in which electrons are passed to transmit the information, these structures use photons to transmit the information. The advantages of using photons over electrons is increased speed and band width, which allows transmission of more data for a set period of time. Moreover since photons don't interact with the materials through which they pass, hence absorption loss is almost negligible with photons. This work details the investigation of 1-D and 2-D PBG structures in the optical communication regime and applies them to various devices like: reflectors, filters, splitters and polarizing beam splitters.; Simulations for design and analysis of 1-D PBG structures for DWDM application have been done using matlab code based on transfer matrices method. Dual cavity filters were also designed to increase the free spectral range of the device.; 2-D PBG structures have been optimized to achieve complete 2-D hybrid band gap in optical communication regime with a low refractive contrast structure (Deltan = 1.47 = refractive index difference between dielectric and air). Achieving a complete band gap with low refractive index contrast photonic structure has been an interesting and novice step in the area, which may lead the way for new materials in PC devices. A complete and hybrid band gap was achieved in optical communication regime by optimizing the design parameters; period and radius of the structure and as well anisotropy of the electro-optic material. Using 2-D photonic band gap structures, ultra-compact high efficiency 90 degree bends, splitters, and a polarizing beam splitter have been designed and analyzed. Focused ion beam was used to fabricate periodic holes. RIE was used to fabricate waveguides to couple light into and out of PBG structures.