Closely coupled metallodielectric electromagnetic band gap structures

The last few years, much research is aimed at using light as an information carrier in systems. Photonic crystals are materials with varying dielectric properties, designed to interact with photons. If these crystals are arranged in a periodic structure they can control the propagation of electromagnetic waves through the structure. Photonic Band Gap (PBG) crystal is a periodic structure that prohibits propagation of all electromagnetic waves within a particular frequency band. Original PBG research was done in the optical region, but PBG properties are scaleable and applicable to a wide range of frequencies. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in microwave and millimeter-wave applications of PBG structures. Currently, research has also extended to Metallodielectric Electromagnetic Band Gap structures (MEBG), which are replacing the photonic crystals. MEBG structures are composed of periodic metallic elements usually printed in a dielectric region. The research effort in this thesis concentrates on the analysis, modelling and practical implementation of a novel concept called CCMEBG. [Continues.]