Improved combined wave number eigenvalue equations method for band structure calculations of metal photonic crystal

We provide the combined wave number eigenvalue equations (CWNEE) method based upon the plane-wave expansion (PWE) method to calculate and optimize the band structures of the two-dimension (2D) photonic crystals (PhCs). Compared with the traditional PWE methods for the metal PhCs, the band structures can be obtained directly using the CWNEE method, and not any extra procedures are needed to handle the folded band structures. The comparison between the CWNEE method and FDTD method in accuracy and time-consuming has been analyzed, and the results show that the CWNEE method is reliable and accurate. With the CWNEE method and the Bisection-Particle Swarm Optimization method, we optimize the large gap–midgap ratio of the 2D square lattice of square metal rods and circular metal rods. Unlike many traditional PWE method, the CWNEE method can directly calculate the band structure in the arbitrary given frequency range, and it is quite useful for calculating the defect mode of photonic crystal cavity.