Highly directional enhanced radiation from sources embedded inside three-dimensional photonic crystals

Abstract

We have experimentally studied emission of microwave radiation from a monopole source embedded in a three-dimensional photonic crystal. We have demonstrated enhancement of microwave radiation at the band edge and cavity mode frequencies. Furthermore, we have shown that it is possible to obtain highly directive microwave radiation sources operating at the band edge of the three-dimensional photonic crystal. We have measured half power beam widths of 13 degrees for both E and H planes, corresponding to a maximum directivity of 245. (c) 2005 Optical Society of America.