Angular filtering by Bragg photonic microstructures fabricated by physical vapour deposition

We propose and experimentally demonstrate spatial filtering by photonic crystals in a Bragg configuration. Compared to the Laue configuration, where spatial filtering was already demonstrated before, the Bragg configuration is more technologically challenging, as the longitudinal periods of such structures must be shorter than the operational wavelength. The proposed configuration is designed and analyzed by FDTD simulations and the multilayer structure is fabricated by physical vapour deposition on the microstructured substrate. The measurements of the angle/wavelength transmission of the fabricated structure show the signatures of the angular filtering. •Angular filtering by photonic crystals in a Bragg configuration was proposed.•Photonic microstructures were fabricated by physical vapour deposition.•Angle-wavelength transmission measurements show the signatures of spatial filtering.•FDTD calculations predict that the filtering effect can be substantially enhanced.