We study analytically and numerically a new class of circular resonators based on a radial photonic crystal reflector. The Bragg confinement enables the realization of compact resonators exhibiting both large free spectral range and high $Q$-factor. The dependence of the resonator characteristics on the reflector architecture and dimensions is studied in detail. Good agreement is found between the analytical and the numerical results obtained by finite-difference time-domain simulations.

• Received 12 April 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.70.036603