Band Structure Optimization of Two-Dimensional Photonic Crystals in H-Polarization

In the study of photonic crystals, the question arises naturally: Which crystals produce the largest band gaps? This question is investigated by means of an optimization-based evolution algorithm which, given two dielectric materials, seeks to produce a material distribution within the fundamental cell which produces a maximal band gap at a given point in the spectrum. The case of H-polarization in two dimensions is considered. Several numerical examples are presented.