A plane-wave expansion method for analyzing propagation in 3D periodic ceramic structures

The plane-wave expansion method has been the basis for much of the understanding of photonic and electrical behavior in crystals. Two-dimensional periodic structures are commonly used in a number of electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) applications. There has been somewhat less concern, however, with the electromagnetic propagation and bandgap behavior of 3D dielectric structures. Much of this is to due the fact that most 3D periodic dielectric structures cannot be fabricated efficiently, but with developments of ceramic stereolithography, this is beginning to change. The principle concern of this study is to understand electromagnetic propagation behavior in a ceramic cubical lattice. The cubical lattice has several advantages for the design of millimeter-wave components.