DESIGN OF 3-DIMENSIONAL PHOTONIC CRYSTALS AT SUBMICRON LENGTH SCALES

We present a new class of periodic dielectric structures designed spec ifically to be amenable for fabrication at submicron lengthscales. The structures give rise to a sizable 3D photonic band gap and can be fab ricated with materials widely used today in optoelectronic devices. Th ey are made of three materials and consist essentially of a layered st ructure in which a series of cylindrical air holes are etched at norma l incidence through the top surface of the structure. Our results demo nstrate the existence of a gap as large as 14% of the midgap frequency using Si, SiO2, and air; and 23% using Si and air.