Three-dimensional dielectric network structures with large photonic band gaps

Several three-dimensional dielectric network structures possessing large photonic band gaps are presented. Two of these photonic crystals show gaps as large as 26% of the midgap frequency for a refractive index contrast 3.6:1. Four of the proposed structures consist of three-connected networks and a fifth structure has a mixture of three- and four-connected nodes. The realization of these structures using block polymer self-assembly, interference lithography and layer-by-layer lithography is briefly discussed. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.