Photonic crystal surface states

Abstract

A photonic crystal may be configured to support a surface state for logic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a photonic band gap diagram.

FIG. 2 shows a first photonic crystal structure.

FIG. 3 shows a first photonic crystal structure and a second structure.

FIG. 4 shows a first photonic crystal structure including a first material and a second material.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a first photonic crystal structure.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a first photonic crystal structure.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of a first photonic crystal structure and an energy guide.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of a system including a first photonic crystal structure.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a system including a first photonic crystal structure.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of a system including a first photonic crystal structure.

FIG. 11 shows a first photonic crystal structure.

FIG. 12 shows a top view of a first photonic crystal structure.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a first photonic crystal structure including a boundary region configured to support a surface state, the first photonic crystal structure including a first surface state input coupled to the boundary region, a first surface state output coupled to the boundary region, and a first gate.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a second structure proximate to the first photonic crystal structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second structure is in intimate contact with the boundary region of the first photonic crystal structure.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second structure includes a second photonic crystal.

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the boundary region is configured to support surface states in a first energy range.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first energy range includes a first central frequency.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first energy range overlaps at least in part with the optical frequency range.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first energy range includes a first distribution function.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first distribution function is substantially continuous.

12. (canceled)

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first photonic crystal structure includes alternating layers of a first material and a second material.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first material includes a first dielectric material.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the second material includes a second dielectric material.

16. (canceled)

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first photonic crystal structure includes a substantially 2D photonic crystal.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first photonic crystal structure includes a substantially 3D photonic crystal.

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33. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the boundary region is substantially planar.

34. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the boundary region is non-planar.

35. (canceled)

36. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first gate is configured to receive electromagnetic energy.

37. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first gate is configured to receive surface state energy.

38. (canceled)

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40. (canceled)

41. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first gate forms a first region of the first photonic crystal structure.

42. (canceled)

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45. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a second surface state output coupled to the boundary region.

46. (canceled)

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52. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein first gate includes a photorefractive material.

53. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first gate includes a magnetically responsive material.

54. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first gate includes an electrically responsive material.

55. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first gate includes a thermally responsive material.

56. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first gate includes an acoustically responsive material.

57. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first gate includes a mobile material.

58. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the boundary region is patterned to form a surface state guide.

59. An apparatus comprising: a first photonic crystal structure including a boundary region that includes an array of elements, wherein the boundary region is supportive of a surface state, and wherein the first photonic crystal structure includes a first surface state input coupled to the boundary region, a first surface state output coupled to the boundary region and a first gate.

60. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the array includes a dielectric region.

61. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the array includes a nanoparticle.

62. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a first guide and a second guide, the first guide being configured to include the first surface state input and the first surface state output.

63. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the first guide and the second guide form an intersection region that includes the first gate.

64. (canceled)

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82. A method comprising: propagating a first surface state across a first region of a first photonic crystal;coupling a first signal to at least a portion of the first photonic crystal; andadjusting the propagation of the first surface state responsive to the first signal.

83. The method of claim 82 wherein adjusting the propagation of the first surface state includes changing an amplitude of the first surface state.

84. The method of claim 82 wherein adjusting the propagation of the first surface state includes changing a mode characteristic of the surface state.

85. The method of claim 84 wherein the mode characteristic includes a frequency distribution.

86. The method of claim 84 wherein the mode characteristic includes a spatial distribution.

87. The method of claim 84 wherein the mode characteristic includes a phase.

88. The method of claim 84 wherein the mode characteristic includes a polarization.

89. The method of claim 82 wherein adjusting the propagation of the first surface state includes inhibiting propagation of the first surface state.

90. (canceled)

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