Resonant cavity enhanced detectors embedded in photonic crystals

Abstract

We report a resonant cavity enhanced (RCE) detector built around a three-dimensional photonic band gap crystal. The RCE detector was built by placing a monopole antenna within the localized modes of planar and boxlike defect structures. The enhanced electric field around these defect structures were then measured by a microwave detector and a network analyzer. We measured a power enhancement factor of 3450 for planar cavity structures. A Fabry–Perot cavity model was used to understand and predict resonant cavity enhancement in this structure. The tuning bandwidth of the RCE detector extends from 10.5 to 12.8 GHz, which corresponds to the full photonic band gap by the crystal. These RCE detectors have increased sensitivity and efficiency when compared to conventional detectors, and can be used for various applications.