(502a) Understanding Photonic Band Gaps in Three Dimensions

Photonic crystals are materials composed of mixed dielectric media that result in the reflection of all electromagnetic waves within a range of frequencies (called a complete photonic band gap or “stop-band”) commensurate with the length scale of the crystal. This scientific advance poses an exciting avenue for novel materials---they allow for light to be controlled through materials design, and their implementation in technology has been likened to the introduction of semiconductors. Since first theorized in 1987, there has been a rush to define and synthesize photonic crystal structures. In the decades since, many photonic structures have been discovered, often by using naturally occurring crystal structures as templates for design. However, these studies have yet to answer the question: what features of a 3D structure will produce a photonic band gap? Here, we compile a large database of periodic structures templated from a variety of naturally occurring crystal and calculate their photonic band structure using MIT Photonic Bands (MPB). Our simulations suggest that when designing novel photonic materials, the toolbox of structural templates may be larger and richer than previously thought, widening the field of target crystal structures.