The theory of cylindrical photonic wires

Abstract

The energy modes for a photonic nanowire have been studied and calculated. We model our photonic crystals after Noda et al. (1999) [18] where logs of semiconductor material are stacked to produce photonic band gaps in both the near and far infrared regions. A nominal dispersion relation was adopted in order to achieve qualitatively useful results. Photonic wires were modeled in two schemes, each with two specific geometries. In the first scheme, a pillar of one photonic crystal is embedded in a larger photonic crystal to produce a wire. This pillar was modeled as having either a square or a circular cross-section. The photonic crystals considered consisted of varying proportions of Ga x Al 1− x As, so that the wire could be adjusted. The second scheme investigated was a dielectric material for the central pillar, rather than a photonic crystal. Again, circular and square cross sections were considered. It was found that many more modes fit into the near infrared band gap than the far infrared band gap, and that a circular cross-section permits fewer modes. Finally, a dielectric pillar allows for a wire which is physically much smaller than a wire with a photonic crystal in the middle. As many photonic devices include such wires, these qualitative results could be useful in their design.