Engineering mode-gaps in photonic crystal waveguides for filtering applications

Abstract

Photonic crystal (PhC) components in InP-based materials are of practical importance not only for their unique properties but also for integration with conventional optoelectronic components on InP substrate. PhC waveguides have been investigated extensively for their unique waveguiding and dispersive properties. One such interesting property is the mode-gap which results in a transmission mini-stop band (MSB) [1] and has been investigated for applications such as coarse wavelength selection [2]. However, the optical characteristics of the MSB have to be improved significantly. Single heterojunction PhC waveguides have received much less attention [3] and in particular the internal MSB effect due to mode-coupling could bring new functions in such waveguides.