Photonic Crystals

The majority of the contributions in this topically edited book stems from the priority SP1113 Photonische Kristalle program run by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), resulting in a survey of the current state of photonic crystal research in Germany. The first part of the book describes methods for the theoretical analysis of their optical properties as well as the results. The main part is dedicated to the fabrication, characterization and modeling of two- and three-dimensional photonic crystals, while the final section presents a wide spectrum of applications: gas sensors, micro-lasers, and photonic crystal fibers. Illustrated in full color, this book is not only of interest to advanced students and researchers in physics, electrical engineering, and material science, but also to company R&D departments involved in photonic crystal-related technological developments. THEORY On the solid-state theoretical description of photonic crystals Spontaneous emission in photonic structures: theory and simulation Semiconductor optics in photonic crystal structures FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION Electrochemically-prepared 2D and 3D photonic crystals Optical properties of planar metallo-dielectric photonic crystals Preparation of 3D photonic crystals from opals Light emitting opal-based photonic crystal heterojunctions Three-dimensional lithography of photonic crystals Tunable photonic crystals using liquid crystals Microwave modelling of photonic crystals Near-field visualization of light in photonic devices APPLICATIONS Application of photonic crystals for gas detection and sensing Polymeric photonic crystal laser Photonic crystal fibers Photonic crystal optical circuits in moderate index materials Planar high index-contrast photonic crystals for Telecom applications Photonic crystals based active optoelectronic devices