Finite-difference time-domain modeling of dispersive-material photonic bandgap structures

Photonic bandgap (PBG) structures constructed from lossy, dispersive dielectric and metallic materials are characterized in terms of their reflection and transmission properties. Particular emphasis is given to PBG structures with defects. These PBG structures are modeled analytically with an ABCD matrix method for their single-frequency response. They also are modeled numerically with a finite-difference time-domain approach to determine their operating characteristics over a wide set of frequencies in a single simulation. It is shown that material dispersion can significantly alter the characteristics of a PBG structure’s frequency response. Metallic PBG structures at optical frequencies thus exhibit bandgap characteristics significantly different from those of their nondispersive dielectric counterparts. It is shown that microcavities whose mirrors are constructed from dispersive-material PBG structures can be designed to outperform similar nondispersivemirror microcavities. © 1999 Optical Society of America [S0740-3232(99)03303-7] OCIS codes: 000.4430, 260.2030, 350.3950, 160.4670, 350.5500.