System und Methode zur Änderung der Ausbreitung optischer Signale in photonischen Kristallen

摘要

Optical modulators (100) are provided. A representative optical modulator (photonic crystal) includes an optical medium (604) that is adapted to propagate optical signals. An array of lattice sites (608) are arranged in the optical medium, with at least some of the lattice sites exhibiting lower refractive indexes than the refractive index of the optical medium. Preferably, a first of the lattice sites incorporates a first optical component (602) that is moveable relative to the optical medium. By moving the first optical component relative to the optical medium, a propagation characteristic of the optical medium can be altered. <IMAGE>