The bandgaps of a square lattice 2D PPCs were predicted using a plane wave expansion method over the parameter space (plasma frequency, collision frequency, lattice constant, plasma column radius, and background dielectric) representative of current experimental atmospheric PPCs. The bandgap characteristics (bandwidth and center frequency) were analyzed with respect to each parameter to determine their general trends. The governing equations and the physical properties will be related to the parameter trends to provide an intuitive understanding of how they each change the bandgap. Metrics used to analyze the tuning performance of each parameter over the full parameter space will be presented and shown how they were used to identify the preferred variable parameters for controlling respective bandgap characteristics: background dielectric (center frequency) and column radius (bandwidth).

In addition, the current progress on the associated experimental PPC, a dielectric barrier discharge with individually controlled plasma columns, will be presented. The advantage of individual plasma column control as it relates to the conclusions derived from the simulated results will be discussed.

What You Will Learn:

• An overview of plasma photonic crystals and potential application.
• An intuitive understanding of how the plasma photonic crystal parameters effect their respective bandgaps.
• A method for selecting one out of several possible control parameters for a tunable metamaterial.
• A method for controlling the presence of a column within a 2D dielectric barrier discharge plasma photonic crystal and its potential advantages. 

Who Should Attend:

• Anyone who works or has worked with plasma photonic crystals or plasma metamaterials.
• Those in the photonic crystal and metamaterial area who are interested integrating plasma into their devices.
• Those looking for a variable bandgap device in the 100 GHz range.
• Those working with tunable high power microwave devices. 

About the Presenter: Matthew Paliwoda, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Matt Paliwoda is currently a Directed Energy Professional Society Scholar and PhD student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the Aerospace Engineering Department. He received an M.S. from Missouri S&T and a B.S. from the University of Washington, both degrees in Aerospace Engineering. His graduate research has focused on controlling dielectric barrier discharge atmospheric plasma as a form of tunable microwave metamaterial and he has three publications related to this topic in the journal Physics of Plasmas.