Patent ID: 6940637

Claim:
An optical heterostructure comprising: a matrix having an index of refraction; a first bandgap region defined in said matrix; and a second bandgap region defined in said matrix, wherein said first bandgap region is characterized by a periodic arrangement of inclusions in said matrix, said inclusions of said first bandgap region have an index of refraction substantially different than said index of refraction of said matrix, said second bandgap region is characterized by a periodic arrangement of inclusions in said matrix, said inclusions of said second bandgup region have an index of refraction substantially different than said index of refraction of said matrix, said first and second bandgap regions alternate in succession along a primary dimension of optical propagation of said heterostructure to define a succession including at least one of said first bandgap regions interposed between a pair of said second bandgap regions, said first bandgap region defines a first optical bandgap of said optical heterostructure, said second bandgap region defines a second optical bandgap of said optical heterostructure, and a spacing between said second bandgap regions created by said interposition of said first bandgap region there between is such that said first optical bandgap is centered at a different wavelength than said second optical bandgap and such that a transmission bandwidth is defined between said first and second optical bandgaps.