Author

Ulrich Bass

Date of Award

12-1994

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Physics

First Advisor

Dr. Arthur McGurn

Second Advisor

Dr. Sung Chung

Third Advisor

Dr. John Kapenga

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

One concept of examining the propagation of an electromagnetic wave through a periodic structure is the dispersion curve which relates the frequency of the propagating wave to its wave vector. In some cases frequency ranges occur where no propagation is possible. These ranges are called absolute photonic band gaps as far as periodic dielectric structures are concerned.

In my thesis I am interested in the dispersion curve of a Zincblende type dielectric array. Zincblende is a diamond-like structure and it has been shown that diamond structures possess absolute photonic band gaps. In studying Zincblende we want to gain deeper insight into how changes in the dielectric constant affect the dispersion curve and band gaps. The system I study is composed from two spherical balls of differing radii. The calculations presented in this thesis are based on numerically studying the propagation of electromagnetic waves through this periodic dielectric structure.

Included in

Physics Commons

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