LASER RAPID PROTOTYPING OF PHOTONIC BAND-GAP MICROSTRUCTURES

Three-dimensional periodic microstructures of aluminum oxide, which ar e important for creating photonic band-gap structures (PBGs), were fab ricated by laser rapid prototyping by means of laser-induced direct-wr ite deposition from the gas phase, The structures consisted of layers of parallel rods forming a face-centered tetragonal lattice with latti ce constants of 66 and 133 micrometers. These structures showed transm ission minima centered around 4 terahertz (75 micrometers) and 2 terah ertz (150 micrometers), respectively. PBGs will allow precise control of the optical properties of materials, including lasers without thres hold.