Ordered and disordered photonic band gap materials

Abstract

We discuss a formulation and computer implementation of a new method that can be used to determine the electromagnetic properties of ordered and disordered dielectric and metallic cylinders, using periodic boundary conditions in one direction. We show results which exhibit strong parallels with the behaviour of electrons in disordered semiconductors, but also illustrate some characteristics which clearly differentiate between photonic and electronic behaviour. Among these are strong polarisation sensitivity and effects due to metallic absorption.