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Diamond-structured photonic crystals

Nature Materials volume 3, pages 593–600 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Certain periodic dielectric structures can prohibit the propagation of light for all directions within a frequency range. These 'photonic crystals' allow researchers to modify the interaction between electromagnetic fields and dielectric media from radio to optical wavelengths. Their technological potential, such as the inhibition of spontaneous emission, enhancement of semiconductor lasers, and integration and miniaturization of optical components, makes the search for an easy-to-craft photonic crystal with a large bandgap a major field of study. This progress article surveys a collection of robust complete three-dimensional dielectric photonic-bandgap structures for the visible and near-infrared regimes based on the diamond morphology together with their specific fabrication techniques. The basic origin of the complete photonic bandgap for the 'champion' diamond morphology is described in terms of dielectric modulations along principal directions. Progress in three-dimensional interference lithography for fabrication of near-champion diamond-based structures is also discussed.

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Figure 1: The initial diamond structures.
Figure 2: Layered diamond structures.
Figure 3: Layered diamond structures.
Figure 4: Square spiral diamond.
Figure 5: The level-set diamond D and three-connected diamond structures.
Figure 6: b.c.c. diamond-like structures.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies of the US Army Research Office under contract DAAD-19-02-0002.

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  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, 02139, Massachusetts, USA

    Martin Maldovan & Edwin L. Thomas

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  1. Martin Maldovan
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Correspondence to Martin Maldovan.

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Maldovan, M., Thomas, E. Diamond-structured photonic crystals. Nature Mater 3, 593–600 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat1201

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