Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for protecting a temperature sensitive object. A system includes a temperature sensitive object and a thermal control material in thermal communication with the temperature sensitive object. The thermal control material has an emissivity that varies as a function of temperature, and includes a substrate comprising a first surface comprising one of a photonic crystal, a metamaterial, a metasurface, and a multilayer film, a solid state phase change material in contact with the surface, and a reflective thin film material at one of a second surface of the substrate, at a surface of the solid state phase change material, and on an opposite side of an optical cavity from the substrate.

Abstract: A nano-electromechanical optical switch includes an input optical waveguide that is provided with an optical signal. At least two output optical waveguides are coupled to the input optical waveguide. The deflection of the input optical waveguide aligns with one of either of the two output optical waveguides so as to allow transmission of the optical signal to one of either of the two output optical waveguides.

Abstract: A periodic structure is disclosed that includes an array of point defects within the periodic structure. The array includes point defects in a least two dimensions of the periodic structure. Each point defect permits electromagnetic fields of a first wavelength that is otherwise within a band gap range of the periodic structure to exist in each of the point defects.

Abstract: A photonic crystal includes a plurality of photonic crystal slabs that is suited for confining TE polarizations and TM polarizations. The photonic crystal slabs include alternating slabs of dielectric rods and air holes. The alternating slabs create a lateral symmetry plane. The alternating slabs of dielectric rods and air holes further include planar line defects resulting in the formation of defect bands inside the bandgap of the photonic crystal.

Abstract: A periodic structure is disclosed that includes an array of point defects within the periodic structure. The array includes point defects in a least two dimensions of the periodic structure. Each point defect permits electromagnetic fields of a first wavelength that is otherwise within a band gap range of the periodic structure to exist in each of the point defects.

Abstract: A periodic dielectric structure having a three-dimensional photonic bandgap and a method of fabricating same. The structure includes a plurality of stacked first and second two-dimensionally periodic slabs arranged in an alternating sequence. The first two-dimensionally periodic slabs comprising lower dielectric rods surrounded by higher dielectric material. The second two-dimensionally periodic slabs include higher dielectric rods surrounded by lower dielectric material. The rods of the first or second two-dimensionally periodic slabs are laterally offset from the rods of a nearest consecutive two-dimensionally periodic slab of the same type.

Abstract: A periodic dielectric structure having a three-dimensional photonic bandgap and a method of fabricating same. The structure includes a plurality of stacked first and second two-dimensionally periodic slabs arranged in an alternating sequence. The first two-dimensionally periodic slabs comprising lower dielectric rods surrounded by higher dielectric material. The second two-dimensionally periodic slabs include higher dielectric rods surrounded by lower dielectric material. The rods of the first or second two-dimensionally periodic slabs are laterally offset from the rods of a nearest consecutive two-dimensionally periodic slab of the same type.