TRANSMISSIVE PROPERTIES OF AG MGF2 PHOTONIC BAND-GAPS/

We present results of transmittance measurements on periodic layers of Ag/MgF2 at optical and microwave frequencies. These one-dimensional, photonic band gap materials exhibit transparency bands at optical freq uencies and a huge stop band that extends throughout the near-IR to mi crowave frequencies and beyond. A unique feature of these metal/dielec tric photonic band gap (MD-PBG) materials is that the overall transmit tance in the pass band may increase as more periods are deposited. The center frequency, width, and sharpness of the pass bands are adjustab le and generally depend on the thickness of the layers and the number of Ag/MgF2 periods. These simple periodic structures have applications as sensor and eye protection devices, heat reflecting windows, ultrav iolet blocking films, and transparent electrodes for light emitting di odes and liquid crystal displays. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physi cs. [S0003-6951(98)03214-8].