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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Using Microwave and Macroscopic Samples of Dielectric Solids to Study the Photonic Properties of Disordered Photonic Bandgap Materials

Using Microwave and Macroscopic Samples of Dielectric Solids to Study the Photonic Properties of Disordered Photonic Bandgap Materials

Published on: September 26, 2014

Self-guiding in two-dimensional photonic crystals.

Dmitry Chigrin, Stefan Enoch, Clivia Sotomayor Torres

|May 26, 2009

Summary

Dielectric periodic media exhibit complex photonic bands. Specific frequencies create self-guided light beams by mimicking crystal structures and canceling diffraction.

Area of Science:

Photonics and Materials Science
Optics and Electromagnetism

Background:

Dielectric periodic media feature complex photonic band structures.
These structures exhibit strong dispersion and anisotropy in allowed bands.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between photonic band structure and light propagation in dielectric periodic media.
To demonstrate the conditions leading to self-guided light beams.

Main Methods:

Analysis of photonic band structure and iso-frequency contours.
Theoretical investigation of light beam propagation in anisotropic media.

Main Results:

Iso-frequency contours can mimic the first Brillouin zone of the crystal at specific frequencies.

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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Using Microwave and Macroscopic Samples of Dielectric Solids to Study the Photonic Properties of Disordered Photonic Bandgap Materials

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Published on: September 26, 2014

Fabrication And Characterization Of Photonic Crystal Slow Light Waveguides And Cavities

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A wide angular range of flat dispersion was identified for these frequencies.

Regions of near-zero curvature in iso-frequency contours were shown to cancel light diffraction.

Conclusions:

Dielectric periodic media can support self-guided light beams under specific frequency conditions.
The observed phenomenon is linked to the unique geometry of iso-frequency contours and flat band dispersion.
This finding has implications for optical beam control and photonic device design.