A light source is provided by a photonic crystal having an enhanced
photonic density-of-states over a band of frequencies and wherein at least
one of the dielectric materials of the photonic crystal has a complex
dielectric constant, thereby producing enhanced light emission at the band
of frequencies when the photonic crystal is heated. The dielectric
material can be a metal, such as tungsten. The spectral properties of the
light source can be easily tuned by modification of the photonic crystal
structure and materials. The photonic crystal light source can be heated
electrically or other heating means. The light source can further include
additional photonic crystals that exhibit enhanced light emission at a
different band of frequencies to provide for color mixing. The photonic
crystal light source may have applications in optical telecommunications,
information displays, energy conversion, sensors, and other optical
applications.
