Photonic band structure of patterned waveguides with dielectric and metallic cladding

Abstract

The band structure of a planar waveguide patterned with a photonic lattice is shown to depend on whether the modes are confined by metallic mirrors or by total internal reflection at dielectric interfaces. The different symmetries of the modes in the two types of waveguide determine the hybridization effects that occur in the band structure. This is particularly apparent in the differences in the nature and strength of the polarization mixing that can be observed.