Investigation of absolute photonic band gaps in two-dimensional dielectric structures

Abstract We examine the photonic band structure of two-dimensional (2D) arrays of dielectric holes using the coherent microwave transient spectroscopy (COMITS) technique. Such 2D hole arrays are constructed by embedding low-index rods (air) in a dielectric background of higher-index Stycast material (n = 3·60). The dispersion relation for electromagnetic wave propagation in these photonic crystals is directly determined using the phase sensitivity of COMITS. We find that both the square and triangular lattice structures exhibit photonic band gaps that are common to both polarizations for all wave-vectors along major symmetry axes. In addition, the connectivity of the high-index dielectric and the opening of a large gap for propagation with E field perpendicular to the hole cylinders are found to be important criteria for generating a large absolute photonic band gap.