Photonic materials manipulate photons to achieve certain functions. Photonic crystals are a type of photonic material that displays unusual properties in interacting with light due to a periodic modulation of refractive index. They can trap light in cavities and waveguides by creating photonic band gaps that prevent light from propagating in certain directions. Potential applications of photonic crystals include photonic integrated circuits, lasers, sensors, and replacing conventional optical fibers.