Wide-band transmittance of one-dimensional photonic crystals carved in Si3N4∕SiO2 channel waveguides

Experimental and theoretical investigations of photonic crystal (PhC) structures in silicon nitride/silicon dioxide (Si3N4∕SiO2) vertical waveguiding geometry are reported. One-dimensional patterns, either periodic or with cavity layers, are carved onto the channel waveguides by using focused ion beam lithography. Broadband transmittance spectroscopy in the visible and near-infrared frequency ranges is employed to show photonic band gap behavior up to the fourth order. For structures with a cavity layer, resonant peaks appear in transmittance spectra within the photonic gaps, in agreement with theory. The results show the interest of Si3N4∕SiO2-based PhC waveguides for photonics applications from the infrared up to the visible range.