RF propagation in finite thickness unidirectional magnetic photonic crystals

This paper presents an analysis of a new class of magnetic photonic crystals (MPCs) constructed from periodic arrangements of available (possibly anisotropic) homogeneous material layers. Earlier, analytical studies of semi-infinite versions of these crystals demonstrated that they exhibit the phenomena of minimal reflection at their interface, large amplitude growth of the harmonic wave within the crystal, and concurrent group velocity slow-down. These characteristics are associated with the so called frozen mode and occur at a specific frequency associated with a stationary inflection point within the Bloch diagram. In this paper, we present a characterization of these phenomena for a practical, finite thickness crystal slab and propose a realizable combination of materials consisting of available ferrite and dielectric media. The existence of significant wave amplitude growth and slow down are verified for materials with realistic losses. In addition, we identify and characterize the bandwidth of the magnetic photonic crystals and examine its relationship to the amplitude growth.