Light transmission is maximized through the pass band of a photonic bandgap (PBG) crystal (having alternating high- and low-index material) while preserving high reflection for stop band. An anti-reflective coating (ARC) is used to coat the PBG crystal wherein the ARC material has a refractive index of n=(n.sub.air.times.n.sub.high index material).sup.1/2 and thickness around .lamda.c/8 where .lamda.c is center wavelength.