Bragg Reflectors and Resonators in Microstrip Technology Based on Electromagnetic Crystal Structures

Recently, new promising two-dimensional (2-D) Photonic Bandgap Structures (PBG), or more properly Electromagnetic Crystal Structures, for microstrip lines have been proposed. In this paper, we analyze these structures in a manner like a Bragg reflector in optical wavelengths. Joining two of such Bragg like reflectors by means of a conventional microstrip transmission line allows one to design Bragg Resonators. The 2-D periodic pattern of the electromagnetic crystal structure is implemented with circles etched in the ground plane of the microstrip line by means of a numerical milling machine. Simulations have been performed by using HP ^TM Momentum and MDS software, and in accordance with the measurements give, for the Electromagnetic Crystal Structures, new promising potential applications both in microwave and millimeter wave integrated circuits, and also in the experimentation of expensive short wavelength (including photonic) devices by using simpler and cheaper microwave down scaling.