Adjustable photonic crystal and method of adjusting the index of refraction of photonic crystals to reversibly tune transmissions within the bandgap

摘要

A photonic crystal comprising a waveguide made of material. The waveguide has a periodic set of holes. The material proximate to at least one of the holes in the periodic set of holes exhibits an index of refraction that has been modified by the application of laser energy relative to the material proximate to other holes in the periodic set of holes. The photonic crystal is tuned to temporarily transmit a specific wavelength of light to create an on-off switch for the specific wavelength. Multiple photonic crystals are used to form a multiplexer and a demultiplexer.