Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
10:35
Using Microwave and Macroscopic Samples of Dielectric Solids to Study the Photonic Properties of Disordered Photonic Bandgap Materials
Published on: September 26, 2014
Near-infrared two-dimensional photonic band-gap materials
Optics Letters
|October 31, 2009
Summary
Researchers created 2D dielectric structures exhibiting photonic band gaps in the near-infrared spectrum. These structures show promising optical transmission properties for photonic applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optics
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Two-dimensional periodic dielectric structures are key for controlling light propagation.
- Photonic band gaps (PBGs) enable unique optical phenomena, crucial for photonic devices.
- Near-infrared (NIR) applications require structures operating at specific wavelengths.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize 2D periodic dielectric structures with PBGs in the NIR.
- To investigate the optical transmission properties of these structures.
- To compare experimental results with theoretical predictions.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of triangular arrays of air cylinders in a glass matrix.
- Optical transmission measurements across varying wavelengths (1.1–2.5 microm).
- Analysis of band gap positions, widths, and polarization dependence.
Main Results:
- Successfully created 2D periodic dielectric structures with PBGs in the NIR.
- Observed band gaps at wavelengths from 1.1 to 2.5 microm, dependent on array geometry.
- Demonstrated spectral overlap of band gaps for specific polarizations, consistent with theory.
Conclusions:
- The fabricated 2D dielectric structures exhibit tunable photonic band gaps in the NIR.
- Experimental findings align well with theoretical calculations for band gap properties.
- These structures hold potential for applications in integrated photonics and optical devices.
Related Concept Videos
01:01Energy Bands in Solids
Isolated atoms have discrete energy levels that are well described by the Bohr model. And, it quantifies the energy of an electron in a hydrogen atom as En. Higher quantum numbers 'n' yield less negative, closer electron energy levels.
Band Formation:
When atoms are brought close together, as in a solid, these discrete energy levels begin to split due to the overlap of electron orbitals from adjacent atoms. This split occurs because of the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that no two...
Band Formation:
When atoms are brought close together, as in a solid, these discrete energy levels begin to split due to the overlap of electron orbitals from adjacent atoms. This split occurs because of the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that no two...
01:16UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions
In Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, the absorption of electromagnetic radiation is used to probe the electronic structure of molecules. This technique provides insights into molecular electronic transitions, particularly the movement of electrons between different molecular orbitals. Radiation is absorbed if the energy of the electromagnetic radiation passing through the molecule is precisely equal to the energy difference between the excited and ground states. During this process,...
01:22Semiconductors
There is variation in the electrical conductivity of materials - metals, semiconductors, and insulators that are showcased with the help of the energy band diagrams.
Metals such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), or lead (Pb) have low resistivity and feature conduction bands that are either not fully occupied or overlap with the valence band, making a bandgap non-existent. This allows electrons in the highest energy levels of the valence band to easily transition to the conduction band upon gaining...
Metals such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), or lead (Pb) have low resistivity and feature conduction bands that are either not fully occupied or overlap with the valence band, making a bandgap non-existent. This allows electrons in the highest energy levels of the valence band to easily transition to the conduction band upon gaining...
02:35Band Theory
When two or more atoms come together to form a molecule, their atomic orbitals combine and molecular orbitals of distinct energies result. In a solid, there are a large number of atoms, and therefore a large number of atomic orbitals that may be combined into molecular orbitals. These groups of molecular orbitals are so closely placed together to form continuous regions of energies, known as the bands.
The energy difference between these bands is known as the band gap.
Conductor, Semiconductor,...
The energy difference between these bands is known as the band gap.
Conductor, Semiconductor,...