Frequency-domain formulation of photonic crystals using sources and gain

We present a formulation to analyze photonic periodic structures from viewpoints of sources and gain. The approach is based on a generalized eigenvalue problem and mode expansions of sources which sustain optical fields with phase boundary conditions. Using this scheme, we calculate power spectra, dispersion relations, and quality factors of Bloch modes in one-dimensional periodic structures consisting of dielectrics or metals. We also compare the results calculated from this scheme with those from the complex-frequency method. The outcomes of these two approaches generally agree well and only deviate slightly in the regime of low quality factors. (C) 2013 Optical Society of America