Light propagation effects in one-dimensional Ag/MgF2 photonic band gap structures

We present results of transmittance measurements on periodic layers of Ag/M gF2 at optical and microwave frequencies. These one-dimensional, photonic b and gap materials exhibit transparency bands at optical frequencies and a h uge stop band that extends throughout the near-IR to microwave frequencies and beyond. A unique feature of these metal/dielectric photonic band gap (M D-PBG) materials is that the overall transmittance in the pass band may inc rease as more periods are deposited. The center frequency, width, and sharp ness of the pass bands are adjustable and generally depend on the thickness of the layers and the number of Ag/MgF2 periods. The experimental transmit tance of the MD-PBGs was analyzed by a standard matrix transfer method. The se simple periodic structures have applications as sensor and eye protectio n devices, heat reflecting windows, ultraviolet blocking films, and transpa rent electrodes in electro-optic devices.