Two- and three-dimensional photonic crystals in III-V semiconductors

III-V semiconductor-based 3D and 2D photonic crystals have been described in this article. It has been shown that 3D photonic crystals with a sufficient band-gap effect have been created at optical communications wavelengths. The results encourage us to pursue ultrasmall optical integrated devices/circuits. In the 2D photonic crystal, unique devices and/or phenomena have been described here. Two-dimensional, large-area, coherent lasing action has been achieved, based on the coupling of six lightwaves propagating in a 2D crystal. The trapping and emission of photons by a single defect has also been demonstrated in a 2D photonic-crystal slab, and may lead to various important applications.