Optical properties of one-dimensional metal–dielectric photonic band-gap structures with low index dielectrics

We report on the design, fabrication and characterization of one dimensional metal–dielectric photonic band-gap structures (MDPBG) using low index dielectric materials. We describe design techniques that compensate for the shortcomings of the low dielectric material. The structures show high, flat, broad passband transmission within the visible spectrum and excellent out of band rejection in the infrared. We demonstrate one such MDPBG with five periods of Al2O3/Ag/Al2O3 that shows 53 ± 3% transmission over 150 nm within the visible spectrum and an angular variation smaller than 5% within a field-of view of at least 60°. These MDPBGs are thermally insensitive and show good environmental stability.