Nonlinear Photonic Crystals Toward All-Optical Technologies

Photonic crystals, an analog of semiconductors for light waves, are composite periodic dielectric materials that provide novel and unique ways to control many aspects of electromagnetic radiation. Harnessing the nonlinear properties of photonic crystals and photonic-crystal waveguides offers an opportunity to create the all-optical analogs of diodes and transistors that will one day enable the first all-optical computer to be built.