Just like the periodical crystalline potential in solid-state crystals
determines their properties for the conduction of electrons, the
periodical structuring of photonic crystals leads to envisioning the
possibility of achieving a control of the photon flux in dielectric and
metallic materials.
The use of photonic crystals as a cage for storing, filtering or guiding
light at the wavelength scale thus paves the way to the realisation of
optical and optoelectronic devices with ultimate properties and
dimensions. This should contribute toward meeting the demands for a
greater miniaturisation that the processing of an ever increasing number
of data requires.
Photonic Crystals intends to provide students and researchers from
different fields with the theoretical background needed for modelling
photonic crystals and their optical properties, while at the same time
presenting the large variety of devices, from optics to microwaves,
where photonic crystals have found applications. As such, it aims at
building bridges between optics, electromagnetism and solid-state
physics.
This book was written by six specialists of nanophotonics, and was
coordinated by Jean-Michel Lourtioz, head of the Institut d'Électronique
Fondamentale in Orsay and coordinator of the French Research Network in
Nanophotonics.