Tunable Bioinspired Spatially-varying Random Photonic Crystals

The research objective of the proposed Phase II work is to design, optimize, and demonstrate breadboard prototypes of bio-inspired Spatially Varying Photonic Crystals (SVPCs) that optimize tunability, self-collimation, and transmission of light through sharp bends as per the application-specific requirements. The design process will be performed using a SVPC design toolkit that includes mathematical algorithms, a library of bio-inspired SVPC designs, and interfaces to Computer Aided Design (CAD), and a Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) solver. The toolkit will output the needed parameters for fabrication. The breadboard prototypes of up to three dual-use photonic device applications that utilize bio-inspired SVPCs will be demonstrated, and the SVPC designs will be optimized using a combination of simulation and experimental data. The optical performance of SVPC breadboard prototypes will be experimentally validated for their tunability, self-collimation, and controlled transmission and reflection properties. The measured SVPC device performance will be compared with the capabilities of state-of-the-art single mode fibers.