Metallic photonic crystals

Metallic photonic crystals (PC), also originally called artificial dielectrics, have properties different from those of their dielectric homologues. They are of strategic interest for the microwave domain where they exhibit sufficiently weak loss in addition to their robustness, conformability and low-cost fabrication. In this paper, we review some recent results on metallic photonic crystals and their potential applications to microwave circuits and antennas. After recalling spectral properties of metallic PC, we successively address ultra-compact structures such as high-impedance surfaces, electrically controllable photonic band gaps and left-handed materials. Finally, we discuss new opportunities offered by metallic PCs in the optical domain. To cite this article: J.-M. Lourtioz, A. de Lustrac, C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 79–88