Absolute three-dimensional photonic band gap in the infrared regime in woven structures

We closely study the formation of a three-dimensional (3D) photonic band gap in a system composed of dielectric fibers. The fibers are woven into layers that are then stacked up to form 3D lattices of different structures. The woven systems have the advantage of easy fabrication and, with the cross sections of fibers in microns, the band gap can be made in the infrared regime. We employ the transfer-matrix method to study the photonic band structures. The optimized gap-formation condition is found in a quasi-body-centered-cubic structure. A 3D full gap is identified in the middle infared regime with the use of fibers of moderate dielectric constants $(\epsilon <~16)$. Our studies strongly suggest the possibility of employing such woven structures in various photonic insulator-related applications.