Creating band gaps in periodic media

Abstract: We identify explicit conditions on geometry and material contrast for creating band gaps in 2-d photonic and 3-d acoustic crystals. This approach is novel and makes use of the electro-static and quasi-periodic source free resonances of the crystal. The source free modes deliver a spectral representation for solution operators associated with propagation of electromagnetic and acoustic waves inside periodic high contrast media. An accurate characterization of the quasi-periodic and electrostatic resonance spectrum in terms of the shape and geometry of the scatters is possible. This information together with the Dirichlet and a Neumann like spectra associated with the inclusions deliver conditions sufficient for opening band gaps at finite contrast. The theory provides a systematic means for the identification of photonic and phononic band gaps within a specified frequency range.