FEM and SIE modeling of layered uniaxial crystals for compact directive antennas

We present a 3-D design and realization of degenerate band edge (DBE) periodic assemblies forming anisotropic photonic crystals to achieve highly directive radiation characteristics when operated close to band edge frequencies. For the design, we employ a method of moments implementation of the surface integral equation in presence of uniaxial dielectric materials using closed form dyadic Green´s functions. To our knowledge, this is the first time that closed form uniaxial dyadic Green´s functions are used in a surface integral equation formulation. The proposed method of moments implementation is then adapted to design DBE crystals using an engineered composition of Barium-titanate and Alumina platelets. This paper points out the computational challenges associated with the DBE antenna design procedure.