FDTD analysis of PBG waveguides,power splitters and switches

Finite two-dimensional photonic bandgap (PBG) structures were analyzed with a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) full wave, vector Maxwell equation simulator. Removal of particular portions of these PBG structures lead to interesting sub-micron-sized waveguiding environments. Several waveguides and power dividers were designed and evaluated. By introducing further defects into the PBG waveguiding structures, control of the flow of electromagnetic energy in these nanometer-sized waveguides can be affected. This effect is demonstrated, and its use to achieve a micron-sized waveguide switch is shown.