Leveraging deep photonic band gaps in photonic crystal impurity bands

Photonic band gaps can be generated in the impurity bands of photonic crystals formed by periodically placed defects. Even slight periodic modulation of the properties of these defects can open up very deep band gaps in the impurity bands. This phenomenon originates from the concentration of electromagnetic field at the defect regions, making electromagnetic wave extremely sensitive to the small changes of the defects. A dynamical photonic band gap in the impurity band created by a control light, provides a mechanism for constructing high-efficiency optical switches.