Photonic crystal band gap optimization by generic algorithms

Genetic algorithms in combination with the finite element method are used for the optimization of the band gap of infinite photonic crystals in square and triangular lattices. The unitary cell is composed by air and a dielectric material. The band gap has been calculated at the nodes of the first Brillouin region. The proposed scheme has been validated with previously published results and an excellent agreement has been found and results for the optimization of band gaps are presented.