Observation of strong attenuation within the photonic band gap of multiconnected networks

TL;DR

This study combines theoretical and experimental approaches to demonstrate a photonic band gap in coaxial cable networks, showing strong attenuation due to wave interference and scattering, advancing understanding of wave control in engineered materials.

Contribution

It introduces a novel multiconnected coaxial cable network to realize photonic band gaps through interference and scattering, with experimental validation of wide band gaps and strong attenuation.

Findings

Experimental observation of wide band gap with strong attenuation

Mechanism of band gap formation via interference and scattering

Validation of theoretical models with experimental data

Abstract

We theoretically and experimentally study a photonic band gap (PBG) material made of coaxial cables. The coaxial cables are waveguides for the electromagnetic waves and provide paths for direct wave interference within the material. Using multiconnected coaxial cables to form a unit cell, we realize PBGs via (i) direct interference between the waveguides within each cell and (ii) scattering among different cells. We systematically investigate the transmission of EM waves in our PBG materials and discuss the mechanism of band gap formation. We observe experimentally for the first time the wide band gap with strong attenuation caused by direct destructive interference.