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Layer-by-layer photonic crystal horn antenna
Andrew R Weily1, Karu P Esselle, Barry C Sanders
1Department of Electronics, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|November 5, 2004
Summary
We developed a physically realizable horn antenna for photonic crystals, enabling efficient free-space transmission. This advance offers broad bandwidth and easy integration for compact communication devices.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Electromagnetics
- Antenna Engineering
Background:
- Photonic crystals offer unique light manipulation properties.
- Efficiently coupling light from waveguides to free space is a key challenge.
- Idealized 2D photonic crystal antennas lack practical realization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a physically realizable horn antenna for 3D layer-by-layer photonic crystals.
- To demonstrate efficient light transmission from defect waveguides to free space.
- To evaluate the antenna's performance characteristics and integration potential.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations were employed to analyze the horn antenna's performance.
- The radiation pattern in both H-plane and E-plane was investigated.
- Bandwidth characteristics were compared to the defect waveguide.
Main Results:
- The proposed horn antenna achieves highly efficient transmission.
- Directional radiation patterns were observed in the H-plane, with broader characteristics in the E-plane.
- The antenna exhibits a bandwidth nearly matching the defect waveguide, confirming its function as an excellent output coupler.
Conclusions:
- The 3D layer-by-layer photonic crystal horn antenna is a practical and efficient device.
- It serves as a high-performance output coupler for photonic crystal waveguides.
- The antenna's design facilitates integration into ultracompact photonic devices for communication systems.