One-dimensional Periodic Structures with Complete Spectral Gap

Abstract

Artificial structures with periodically modulated index of refraction such as photonic crystals offer novel ways of controlling light propagation due to the existence of a range of forbidden frequencies corresponding to a photonic bandgap. We discuss physical phenomena which do not allow for the existence of complete electromagnetic band gaps in dielectric structures with variation of the refractive index in one spatial dimension. We also demonstrate that the limitations imposed on one-dimensional dielectric structures can be removed by using the so-called left-handed materials, and that such a structure can posses a full photonic band gap. Show more