Exploiting Unusual Characteristics of Photonic Crystals for Novel Optical Device

This Small Business Innovation Research project proposes to utilize the emerging technology of Photonic Crystals to realize novel optical components. These devices will help pave the road towards commercially viable, high speed, large bandwidth, and miniature all-optical circuits. In particular, the Phase I portion of this project will focus on development of devices based on the ultrarefractive effect in photonic crystals. One such device is an Ultracompact Wavelength Spectrometer. The ultrarefractive effect in photonic crystals enables this and other devices by producing angular deflection of optical beams that is both extremely large in magnitude and also a very strong function of the input wavelength, as compared to standard materials. The expected result of this work is that IFOS will offer some of the first commercially-viable photonic-crystal-based components and modules. Collaboration with leaders in this field at the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg, will help IFOS accomplish the objectives of this project.