OPTICAL ELEMENTS COMPRISING PHOTONIC CRYSTALS AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF

摘要

The present invention describes the use of photonic crystals to form optical elements which function in optical apparatus in frequency ranges outside photonic band-gaps. Such optical elements may apply such optical properties as dispersion, anisotropy, and birefringence (all of which are exhibited by photonic crystals outside photonic band-gaps). A variety of optical apparatus, including spectrometers, radiation sources, and lasers are enabled by such optical elements.