We derive an exact expression for the electromagnetic mode density, and hence the group velocity, for a finite, N-period, one-dimensional, photonic band-gap structure. We begin by deriving a general formula for the mode density in terms of the complex transmission coefficient of an arbitrary index profile. Then we develop a specific formula that gives the N-period mode density in terms of the complex transmission coefficient of the unit cell. The special cases of mode-density enhancement and suppression at the photonic band edge and also at midgap, respectively, are derived. The specific example of a quarter-wave stack is analyzed, and applications to three-dimensional structures, spontaneous emission control, delay lines, band-edge lasers, and superluminal tunneling times are discussed.

We examine optical pulse propagation through a 30-period, GaAs/AlAs, one-dimensional, periodic structure at the photonic band-edge transmission resonance. We predict theoretically-and demonstrate experimentally-an approximate energy, momentum, and form invariance of the transmitted pulse, as well as large group index ͑up to 13.5͒. The group index is tunable and many orders of magnitude more sensitive to variation in material refractive index than for bulk material. We interpret this observation in terms of timedependent electromagnetic states of the pulse-crystal system. ͓S1063-651X͑96͒50108-X͔

The effects of finite beams and finite gratings on the performance of guided-mode resonant subwavelength gratings are characterized by using the rigorous boundary element method. The gratings are strongly modulated, have a finite number of periods, and are illuminated by normally incident Gaussian beams. Quantitative results are presented for silicon-on-sapphire resonant gratings and gallium arsenide-aluminum arsenide resonant gratings.

A comparative study of the reflection spectral resonances in weakly and strongly modulated subwavelength gratings is presented. The effects of strong modulation in resonant subwavelength gratings have been largely ignored in the literature. We show that the spectral stability of resonances as a function of angle of incidence around normal can be greatly enhanced with strongly modulated gratings while the desirable narrow line-width associated with weakly modulated gratings is still maintained.