Micro-mould method for self-assembling three-dimensional opal photonic crystals

By vertical sedimentation, silica micro-spheres were grown in different shapes of concave micro-zones which were etched on a (100) p-silicon substrate. The following were found: this method can effectively raise the quality of films by avoiding cracks; the geometry of the micro-zones affects the sediment of the film; regular hexagons and triangles best facilitate the growth of photonic crystals. This method is practical for its ability to fabricate self-assembly photonic crystals in previously designed small areas.

Modulation of Photonic Bandgap and Localized States by Dielectric Constant Contrast and Filling Factor in Photonic Crystals

The band structure of 2D photonic crystals (PCs) and localized states resulting from defects are analyzed by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique and Pade approximation. The effect of dielectric constant contrast and filling factor on photonic bandgap (PBG) for perfect PCs and localized states in PCs with point defects are investigated. The resonant frequencies and quality factors are calculated for PCs with different defects. The numerical results show that it is possible to modulate the location, width and number of PBGs and frequencies of the localized states only by changing the dielectric constant contrast and filling factor.

Three-dimensional dispersive metallic photonic crystals with a bandgap and a high cutoff frequency.

The goal of this work is to analyze three-dimensional dispersive metallic photonic crystals (PCs) and to find a structure that can provide a bandgap and a high cutoff frequency. The determination of the band structure of a PC with dispersive materials is an expensive nonlinear eigenvalue problem; in this work we propose a rational-polynomial method to convert such a nonlinear eigenvalue problem into a linear eigenvalue problem. The spectral element method is extended to rapidly calculate the band structure of three-dimensional PCs consisting of realistic dispersive materials modeled by Drude and Drude-Lorentz models. Exponential convergence is observed in the numerical experiments. Numerical results show that, at the low frequency limit, metallic materials are similar to a perfect electric conductor, where the simulation results tend to be the same as perfect electric conductor PCs. Band structures of the scaffold structure and semi-woodpile structure metallic PCs are investigated. It is found that band structures of semi-woodpile PCs have a very high cutoff frequency as well as a bandgap between the lowest two bands and the higher bands.

Optical properties of a square-lattice photonic crystal within the partial bandgap

Optical properties of a two-dimensional square-lattice photonic crystal are systematically investigated within the partial bandgap through anisotropic characteristics analysis and numerical simulation of field pattern. Using the plane-wave expansion method and Hellmann-Feynman theorem, the relationships between the incident and refracted angles for both phase and group velocities are calculated to analyze light propagation from air to photonic crystals. Three kinds of flat slab focusing are summarized and demonstrated by numerical simulations using the multiple scattering method. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America

Optical response of high-level bandgap in one-dimensional photonic crystal applying in-plane integration

A new broadband filter, based on the high level bandgap in 1-D photonic crystals (PCs) of the form Si vertical bar air vertical bar Si vertical bar air vertical bar Si vertical bar air vertical bar Si vertical bar air vertical bar Si vertical bar air vertical bar Si is designed by the plane wave expansion method (PWEM) and the transfer matrix method (TMM) and fabricated by lithography. The optical response of this filter to normal-incident and oblique-incident light proves that utilizing the high-level bandgaps of PCs is an efficient method to lower the difficulties of fabricating PCs, increase the etching depth of semiconductor materials, and reduce the coupling loss at the interface between optical fibers and the PC device. (c) 2007 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.

Colloidal photonic crystals with a graded lattice-constant distribution

In this work, a gradient polystyrene colloidal photonic crystal was fabricated by annealing in a graded temperature field. The lattice constant of the gradient crystal gradually varied along the temperature-gradient direction. The positional bandgap wavelength as well as the attenuation of the bandgap wavelength could be tuned dependent on the position of the gradient colloidal crystal along the gradient direction because of the lattice-constant variation.

Harmonic generation and wave mixing in nonlinear metamaterials and photonic crystals (Invited paper)

The basic concepts and phenomenology of wave mixing and harmonic generation are reviewed in context of the recent advances in the enhanced nonlinear activity in metamaterials and photonic crystals. The effects of dispersion, field confinement and phase synchronism are illustrated by the examples of the on-purpose designed artificial nonlinear structures. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 22:469482, 2012.

Enhancement of Microwave Properties of Planar Filters and Antennas using Photonic Bandgap (PBG) Structures

In this thesis, we explore the design, computation, and experimental analysis of photonic crystals, with a special emphasis on structures and devices that make a connection with practically realizable systems. First, we analyze the propenies of photonic-crystal: periodic dielectric structures that have a band gap for propagation. The band gap of periodically loaded air column on a dielectric substrate is computed using Eigen solvers in a plane wave basis. Then this idea is extended to planar filters and antennas at microwave regime. The main objectives covered in this thesis are:• Computation of Band Gap origin in Photonic crystal with the abet of Maxwell's equation and Bloch-Floquet's theorem • Extension of Band Gap to Planar structures at microwave regime • Predict the dielectric constant - synthesized dieletric cmstant of the substrates when loaded with Photonic Band Gap (PBG) structures in a microstrip transmission line • Identify the resonant characteristic of the PBG cell and extract the equivalent circuit based on PBG cell and substrate parameters for microstrip transmission line • Miniaturize PBG as Defected Ground Structures (DGS) and use the property to be implemented in planar filters with microstrip transmission line • Extended the band stop effect of PBG / DGS to coplanar waveguide and asymmetric coplanar waveguide. • Formulate design equations for the PBG / DGS filters • Use these PBG / DGS ground plane as ground plane of microstrip antennas • Analysis of filters and antennas using FDID method

Periodic polymer photonic bandgap structures for on-chip optical cavities

Integrated on-chip optical platforms enable high performance in applications of high-speed all-optical or electro-optical switching, wide-range multi-wavelength on-chip lasing for communication, and lab-on-chip optical sensing. Integrated optical resonators with high quality factor are a fundamental component in these applications. Periodic photonic structures (photonic crystals) exhibit a photonic band gap, which can be used to manipulate photons in a way similar to the control of electrons in semiconductor circuits. This makes it possible to create structures with radically improved optical properties. Compared to silicon, polymers offer a potentially inexpensive material platform with ease of fabrication at low temperatures and a wide range of material properties when doped with nanocrystals and other molecules. In this research work, several polymer periodic photonic structures are proposed and investigated to improve optical confinement and optical sensing. We developed a fast numerical method for calculating the quality factor of a photonic crystal slab (PhCS) cavity. The calculation is implemented via a 2D-FDTD method followed by a post-process for cavity surface energy radiation loss. Computational time is saved and good accuracy is demonstrated compared to other published methods. Also, we proposed a novel concept of slot-PhCS which enhanced the energy density 20 times compared to traditional PhCS. It combines both advantages of the slot waveguide and photonic crystal to localize the high energy density in the low index material. This property could increase the interaction between light and material embedded with nanoparticles like quantum dots for active device development. We also demonstrated a wide range bandgap based on a one dimensional waveguide distributed Bragg reflector with high coupling to optical waveguides enabling it to be easily integrated with other optical components on the chip. A flexible polymer (SU8) grating waveguide is proposed as a force sensor. The proposed sensor can monitor nN range forces through its spectral shift. Finally, quantum dot - doped SU8 polymer structures are demonstrated by optimizing spin coating and UV exposure. Clear patterns with high emission spectra proved the compatibility of the fabrication process for applications in optical amplification and lasing.

AFM study of morphological changes associated with electrochemical solid--solid transformation of three-dimensional crystals of TCNQ to metal derivatives (metal= Cu, Co, Ni; TCNQ= tetracyanoquinodimethane)

In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) allows images from the upper face and sides of TCNQ crystals to be monitored during the course of the electrochemical solid–solid state conversion of 50 × 50 μm2 three-dimensional drop cast crystals of TCNQ to CuTCNQ or M[TCNQ]2(H2O)2 (M = Co, Ni). Ex situ images obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) also allow the bottom face of the TCNQ crystals, in contact with the indium tin oxide or gold electrode surface and aqueous metal electrolyte solution, to be examined. Results show that by carefully controlling the reaction conditions, nearly mono-dispersed, rod-like phase I CuTCNQ or M[TCNQ]2(H2O)2 can be achieved on all faces. However, CuTCNQ has two different phases, and the transformation of rod-like phase 1 to rhombic-like phase 2 achieved under conditions of cyclic voltammetry was monitored in situ by AFM. The similarity of in situ AFM results with ex situ SEM studies accomplished previously implies that the morphology of the samples remains unchanged when the solvent environment is removed. In the process of crystal transformation, the triple phase solid∣electrode∣electrolyte junction is confirmed to be the initial nucleation site. Raman spectra and AFM images suggest that 100% interconversion is not always achieved, even after extended electrolysis of large 50 × 50 μm2 TCNQ crystals.

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of magnesium oxalate nano-crystals

Synthesis of MgC2O4⋅2H2O nano particles was carried out by thermal double decomposition of solutions of oxalic acid dihydrate (C2H2O4⋅2H2O) and Mg(OAc)2⋅4H2O employing CATA-2R microwave reactor. Structural elucidation was carried out by employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size and shape were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nature of bonding was investigated by optical absorption and near-infrared (NIR) spectral studies. The powder resulting from this method is pure and possesses distorted rhombic octahedral structure. The synthesized nano rod is 80 nm in diameter and 549 nm in length.