Nitride compounds as photonic crystals in the optical region

Usin the transfer matrix method we have studied the optical properties rela ted to the photonic band gap (PBG) concept of the III-nitride family partic ularly InN and AlN. We have shown that these materials present, for a parti cular lattice constant and for the same structure, PBGs in all near infrare d, optical and ultaviolet regions. In order to give optimal conditions for experiments, the number and the width of these PBGs are studied in more det ail. The case of the absorption which occurs for the higher lattice paramet er is discussed. This novel class of material opens up many potential appli cations. For example, PBG crystals can be used to inhibit spontaneous emiss ion in photonic devices, leading to more efficient light emitters such as s ingle-mode-light emitting diodes. (C) 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers.