Photonic bandgap based designs for nano-photonic integrated circuits

Photonic crystals are artificial crystal structures that do for electromagnetic waves what a semiconductor crystal does for electron waves. Electronic semiconductors are the basis for the micro-electronic, telecommunications, and computer industries, but photonic crystals are distinct, they are the electromagnetic analog of a semiconductor crystal. They have been conceived for various applications including high capacity optical fibers, color pigments, and especially nano-photonic integrated circuits that might become part of standard microchips.