Toward controllable photonic crystals for centimeter- and millimeter-wave devices

Abstract

In this paper, we present several experimental and theoretical studies showing the feasibility of active photonic crystal controlled either by electrical elements or by light. The controllability of photonic crystals at centimeter wavelengths is proposed with the periodic insertion of diodes along the wires of a two-dimensional (2-D) metallic structure. For only three crystal periods with commercially available devices, more than 30 dB variations of the crystal transmission are predicted over a multigigahertz range by switching the diodes. From calculation models, a tight analogy is shown between these crystals and those consisting of discontinuous metallic rods with dielectric inserts. The numerical models as well as the proposed technology are validated by experimental measurements on 2-D crystals with either continuous or discontinuous metallic rods. The partial control of a 3-D layer-by-layer dielectric structure at millimeter wavelengths is also demonstrated in the second part of the work. A laser light is used to modulate the transmission level of defect modes by photo-induced free carrier absorption. The overall results are expected to contribute to further developments of switchable electromagnetic windows as well as to tunable waveguide structures in the microwave and millimeter wave domains.