Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Omniguide Communications

Joshua N Winn

John Dimitris Joannopoulos

Shanhui Fan

Yoel Fink

A reflector, a method of producing same and a method of creating high omnidirectional reflection for a predetermined range of frequencies of incident electromagnetic energy for any angle of incidence and any polarization. The reflector includes a structure with a surface and a refractive index variation along the direction perpendicular to the surface while remaining nearly uniform along the surface. The structure is configured such that i) a range of frequencies exists defining a photonic band gap for electromagnetic energy incident along the perpendicular direction of said surface, ii) a range of frequencies exists defining a photonic band gap for electromagnetic energy incident along a direction approximately 90&#xb0; from the perpendicular direction of said surface, and iii) a range of frequencies exists which is common to both of said photonic band gaps. In an exemplary embodiment, the reflector is configured as a photonic crystal.

High omnidirectional reflector

A reflector, a method of producing same and a method of creating high omnidirectional reflection for a predetermined range of frequencies of incident electromagnetic energy for any angle of incidence and any polarization. The reflector includes a structure with a surface and a refractive index variation along the direction perpendicular to the surface while remaining nearly uniform along the surface. The structure is configured such that i) a range of frequencies exists defining a photonic band gap for electromagnetic energy incident along the perpendicular direction of said surface, ii) a range of frequencies exists defining a photonic band gap for electromagnetic energy incident along a direction approximately 90.degree. from the perpendicular direction of said surface, and iii) a range of frequencies exists which is common to both of said photonic band gaps. In an exemplary embodiment, the reflector is configured as a photonic crystal.

Growing community of inventors

Somerville, MA, United States of America

Joshua N Winn