Photonic bands in two-dimensional microplasma arrays. II. Band gaps observed in millimeter and subterahertz ranges

Abstract

Plasma photonic band gaps have been observed in a two-dimensional microplasma array, and we have characterized their properties by both experimental and theoretical results. Microplasma columns ignited in helium near atmospheric pressure formed crystal-like structures in a square lattice with a lattice constant from 1.5to2.5mm. Microwaves in the millimeter range transmitting through the array region attenuated at frequencies of photonic band gap in the Γ-X direction, as predicted by the modified plane-wave expansion method. Frequency dependence around the band gap was clarified in the numerical analysis of electromagnetic wave propagation and agreed with experimental results. Electron density in microplasmas was estimated to be 1×1013cm−3 from the attenuation rate at the band gap in the Γ-X direction. Variation of the lattice constant induced frequency shift of the band gap in the millimeter and subterahertz regions, and so plasma photonic crystal can perform as a dynamically controllable band-stop filter.