Manipulating and trapping light with photonic crystals from fundamental studies to practical applications

Abstract

Photonic crystal technology, which was initially proposed as a way to realize nanoscale nanocavities and nanowaveguides, is now finding applications as a surface interface layer technology for light-emitting diodes with high brightness and solar cells with high conversion efficiency. On the other hand, nanocavities, which can efficiently confine light in an ultrasmall footprint with significantly enhanced photon lifetime, have greatly contributed to cavity quantum electrodynamics studies. Such nanocavities have also realized prototypes of ultralow-power functional devices and high-density integrated photonic circuits. In this review article, I focus on planar and two-dimensional slab photonic crystal and related structures, which have played major roles in both fundamental studies and device applications.