Two-dimensional metallodielectric photonic crystal with a large band gap

Three kinds of square metallodielectric photonic crystals have been fabricated. In these crystals, a very small metal cylinder is inserted into the center of each unit cell, while the dielectric cylinders are located at the corners of each unit cell. The transmissions of these photonic crystals have been measured in the microwave region. Compared with dielectric photonic crystals, the first photonic band gap is enlarged by a factor of 2. The experimental results agree well with the simulation obtained by the multiscattering approach. This method may be valuable for the design of photonic crystals with a large band gap.