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Exploring for 3D photonic bandgap structures in the 11 f.c.c. space groups
Martin Maldovan1, Chaitanya K Ullal, W Craig Carter
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
Nature Materials
|September 13, 2003
Summary
Researchers developed a systematic crystallographic approach to discover new photonic crystal structures. This method identified novel structures with complete photonic bandgaps, advancing the field of materials science.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Crystallography
Background:
- Photonic crystals are periodic dielectric structures with potential applications.
- Existing methods lack a systematic approach for discovering optimal photonic crystal structures.
- Known complete photonic bandgap structures include diamond networks and inverse-opal structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a systematic crystallographic approach for discovering photonic crystal structures with complete bandgaps.
- To explore the effects of symmetry and connectivity on bandgap properties.
- To identify novel photonic crystal structures with significant bandgaps.
Main Methods:
- A level-set approach based on crystallography was employed.
- The approach was applied to 11 face-centered-cubic (f.c.c.) lattice groups.
- F-space groups were classified into four fundamental geometries based on Wyckoff site connectivity.
Main Results:
- Three fundamental geometries exhibited complete photonic bandgaps.
- Two novel structures, F-RD (Fm3m symmetry) and group 216 (F43m symmetry), were identified.
- Complete bandgaps were opened between the 2-3, 5-6, and 8-9 bands in f.c.c. systems.
Conclusions:
- The proposed level-set crystallographic approach systematically identifies photonic crystal structures with complete bandgaps.
- This systematic method reveals new structures and provides insights into symmetry-bandgap relationships.
- The discovery of novel structures advances the design and application of photonic crystals.