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Title: Optical Properties and Wave Propagation in Semiconductor-Based Two-Dimensional Photonic Crystals

Thesis/Dissertation ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/806586· OSTI ID:806586
 [1]
  1. Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States)

This work is a theoretical investigation on the physical properties of semiconductor-based two-dimensional photonic crystals, in particular for what concerns systems embedded in planar dielectric waveguides (GaAs/AlGaAs, GaInAsP/InP heterostructures, and self-standing membranes) or based on macro-porous silicon. The photonic-band structure of photonic crystals and photonic-crystal slabs is numerically computed and the associated light-line problem is discussed, which points to the issue of intrinsic out-of-lane diffraction losses for the photonic bands lying above the light line. The photonic states are then classified by the group theory formalism: each mode is related to an irreducible representation of the corresponding small point group. The optical properties are investigated by means of the scattering matrix method, which numerically implements a variable-angle-reflectance experiment; comparison with experiments is also provided. The analysis of surface reflectance proves the existence of selection rules for coupling an external wave to a certain photonic mode. Such rules can be directly derived from symmetry considerations. Lastly, the control of wave propagation in weak-index contrast photonic-crystal slabs is tackled in view of designing building blocks for photonic integrated circuits. The proposed designs are found to comply with the major requirements of low-loss propagation, high and single-mode transmission. These notions are then collected to model a photonic-crystal combiner for an integrated multi-wavelength-source laser.

Research Organization:
Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (US)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-Eng-82
OSTI ID:
806586
Report Number(s):
IS-T 2011; IS-T 2007; TRN: US0301335
Resource Relation:
Other Information: TH: Thesis (Ph.D.); Submitted to Universita Degli Studi di Pavia (IT); and to Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (US); PBD: 31 Dec 2002
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English