Three-dimensional photonic crystal waveguide structure and method
First Claim
1. A method of forming a three-dimensional (3D) photonic crystal waveguide structure, comprising:
- forming in first and second substrates respective first and second 3D photonic crystal regions respectively comprising first and second substantially identical periodic arrays of voids defining substantially identical first and second complete bandgaps;
forming a first empty channel in the first 3D photonic crystal region; and
interfacing the first and second 3D photonic crystal regions to form a 3D waveguide defined by the first empty channel and a portion of the second 3D photonic crystal region covering the first empty channel.
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Abstract
A waveguide structure formed with a three-dimensional (3D) photonic crystal is disclosed. The 3D photonic crystal comprises a periodic array of voids formed in a solid substrate. The voids are arranged to create a complete photonic bandgap. The voids may be formed using a technique called “surface transformation,” which involves forming holes in the substrate surface, and annealing the substrate to initiate migration of the substrate near the surface to form voids in the substrate. A channel capable of transmitting radiation corresponding to the complete bandgap is formed in the 3D photonic crystal, thus forming the waveguide. The waveguide may be formed by interfacing two 3D photonic crystal regions, with at least one of the regions having a channel formed therein. The bandgap wavelength can be chosen by arranging the periodic array of voids to have a lattice constant a fraction of the bandgap wavelength.
130 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A method of forming a three-dimensional (3D) photonic crystal waveguide structure, comprising:
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forming in first and second substrates respective first and second 3D photonic crystal regions respectively comprising first and second substantially identical periodic arrays of voids defining substantially identical first and second complete bandgaps;
forming a first empty channel in the first 3D photonic crystal region; and
interfacing the first and second 3D photonic crystal regions to form a 3D waveguide defined by the first empty channel and a portion of the second 3D photonic crystal region covering the first empty channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of forming a 3D photonic crystal waveguide structure, comprising:
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combining two 3D photonic crystal regions each formed from a substantially identical periodic array of voids via surface transformation so as to form a complete bandgap in each 3D photonic crystal region; and
wherein at least one of the 3D photonic crystal regions includes an empty channel that forms a waveguide upon said combining of the two 3D photonic crystal regions. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of guiding radiation, comprising:
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forming in first and second substrates respective first and second 3D photonic crystal regions respectively including first and second substantially identical periodic arrays of voids defining substantially identical first and second complete bandgaps;
forming a first empty channel in the first 3D photonic crystal region;
interfacing the first and second 3D photonic crystal regions to form a 3D waveguide defined by the first empty channel and a portion of the second 3D photonic crystal region covering the first empty channel; and
introducing radiation into an input end of the 3D waveguide. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of guiding radiation, comprising:
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combining two 3D photonic crystal regions having formed therein substantially identical periodic arrays of voids via surface transformation so as to form a complete bandgap in each 3D photonic crystal region, wherein at least one of the 3D photonic crystal regions includes an empty channel that forms a waveguide upon said combining of the two 3D photonic crystal regions; and
introducing radiation into the waveguide having a wavelength within the complete photonic bandgap. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A method of forming a 3D photonic crystal waveguide, comprising:
- forming first and second substantially identical 3D photonic crystal regions, wherein at least one of the regions includes an empty channel, and combining the first and second 3D photonic crystal regions to form a single 3D photonic crystal region with a waveguide defined by the empty channel, the single 3D photonic crystal having a complete photonic bandgap defined by first and second periodic arrays of voids formed in each of the first and second 3D photonic crystal regions.
- View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A waveguide structure comprising:
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first and second 3D photonic crystal regions combined to form a single 3D photonic crystal region having a complete photonic bandgap defined by first and second periodic arrays of voids formed in each of the first and second 3D photonic crystal regions by surface transformation; and
an empty channel passing through the single 3D photonic crystal region sized to receive and guide radiation of a wavelength corresponding to the complete photonic bandgap. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A waveguide structure, comprising:
- a 3D photonic crystal including a periodic array of voids formed in a solid substrate so as to have a complete photonic bandgap; and
an empty channel waveguide formed in the 3D photonic crystal and sized to transmit light of a wavelength corresponding to the complete photonic bandgap. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
- a 3D photonic crystal including a periodic array of voids formed in a solid substrate so as to have a complete photonic bandgap; and
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44. The waveguide optical system comprising:
- a 3D photonic crystal comprising a periodic array of voids formed in a solid substrate so as to have a complete photonic bandgap;
an empty channel waveguide formed in the 3D photonic crystal and sized to transmit light of a wavelength corresponding to the complete photonic bandgap; and
a radiation source operatively coupled to a first end of the empty channel waveguide to provide radiation to be transmitted down the waveguide. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
- a 3D photonic crystal comprising a periodic array of voids formed in a solid substrate so as to have a complete photonic bandgap;
Specification