Experimental investigation of photonic crystal waveguide devices and line-defect waveguide bends

Photonic crystal waveguide devices incorporating line-defect waveguide bend s have been fabricated. In this paper we present preliminary experimental a nalysis of these structures. Although evidence of photonic band-gap effects are observed in the spectra, transmission efficiency was found to be extre mely low due to significant up-scattering losses from the holes. In order t o quantify this loss mechanism, a detailed experimental and theoretical ana lysis of scattering effects in regular photonic crystal waveguide devices w ith band gaps at visible wavelength is presented. Field profiles in line de fect structures are analysed using a FDTD (finite difference time domain) m ethod. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.