Two-dimensional photonic crystal having air-bridge structure and method for manufacturing such a crystal

摘要

The present invention intends to provide a two-dimensional photonic crystal having a high level of mechanical strength and functioning as a high-efficiency resonator. The two-dimensional photonic crystal according to the present invention includes a slab layer 31 under which a clad layer 32 is located. In the slab layer 31, areas 35 having a refractive index different from that of the slab layer 31 are cyclically arranged to create a two-dimensional photonic crystal. A portion of the cyclic arrangement of the areas 35 are omitted to form a point-like defect 36. This defect 36 functions as a resonator at which a specific wavelength of light resonates. An air-bridge cavity 37 facing the point-like defect 36 is formed over a predetermined range of the clad layer 32. In this construction, the clad layer 32 supports the slab layer 31 except for the range over which the air-bridge space 37 is formed. Therefore, the two-dimensional photonic crystal has a high level of mechanical strength. The presence of the air-bridge space 37 under the point-like defect 36 makes it easy to confine light at the point-like defect 36 by the difference in the refractive index between the slab layer 31 and the air. Thus, the point-like defect 36 functions as a high-performance resonator.