Pneumatic photonic crystals: properties and application in sensing and metrology

Abstract

A pneumatic photonic crystal i.e. a medium containing regularly distributed gas-filled voids divided by elastic walls is proposed as an optical indicator of pressure and temperature. The indicator includes layered elastic platform, optical fibers and switching valves, all enclosed into a chamber. We have investigated theoretically distribution of deformation and pressure inside a pneumatic photonic crystal, its bandgap structure and light reflection changes depending on external pressure and temperature.