
12.2. EFFECTIVE DISCRETE MODELS
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Figure 12.3: Electric-field contours for a linear guided mode in a waveguide created by an array
of defect rods. Rod positions are indicated by circles.
12.1.3 Waveguides in Photonic Crystals
One of the most promising applications of the photonic-bandgap (PBG) structures is
the possibility of creating a novel type of optical waveguide. In conventional wave-
guides, such as optical fibers, light is confined by
total internal reflection
occurring
because of different refractive indices for the core and the cladding. A weakness of
such waveguides is that they cannot be bent sharply, because much ...