We calculate the low-frequency index of refraction of a medium which is homogeneous along axis $z$ and possesses a periodic dependence of the permittivity $\varepsilon \left(\mathbf{r}\mathbf{\right)}$ and permeability $\mu \left(\mathbf{r}\mathbf{\right)}$ in the $x\mathrm{\text{−}}y$ plane (2D magnetodielectric photonic crystal). Exact analytical formulas for the effective index of refraction for two eigenmodes with vector $\mathbf{E}$ or $\mathbf{H}$ polarized along axis $z$ are obtained. We show that, unlike nonmagnetic photonic crystals where the $E$ mode is ordinary and the $H$ mode is extraordinary, now both modes exhibit extraordinary behavior. Because of this distinction, the magnetodielectric photonic crystals exhibit optical properties that do not exist for natural crystals. We also discuss the limiting case of perfectly conducting cylinders and clarify the so-called problem of noncommuting limits, $\omega \to 0$ and $\varepsilon \to \infty$.

• Received 30 July 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.93.023904