Omnidirectional reflection from Solc-type anisotropic periodic dielectric structures

Recently it was shown theoretically Opt. Commun. 174, 43 (2000)] that a Solc folded-type anisotropic dielectric structure under certain conditions exhibits omnidirectional reflection at any polarization over a wide spectral range. Here, omnidirectional reflection from Solc folded-type dielectric periodic structures is further analyzed. Transfer-matrix methodology is applied. Simple expressions are obtained for transfer matrices at interfaces and the unit cell translation matrix. Dispersion relations are determined. Numerical examples are shown comparatively for isotropic and Solc-type anisotropic periodic structures. The Solc-type structure has a wider band of omnidirectional reflection. The results demonstrate that anisotropic materials should be useful in photonic bandgap structures.