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Photonic crystals are optical media with periodic variation of the dielectric function. The
sequence of layering and choice of material of various layers determine electromagnetic
wave propagation in these structures. A pedagogical review of the physics and behaviour
of one-dimensional photonic crystals, in which layers of dielectric media are arranged with
periodicity only in one direction, is presented here. Theoretical underpinnings, as well
as widely used numerical and computational techniques viz., Transfer Matrix Method
(TMM), Scattering Matrix Method (SMM) and Finite Difference Time Domain Method
(FDTDM) have been reviewed here. A detailed derivation of the transfer matrix method
has been given, along with the summaries of SMM, and finite-difference time-domain
approaches. Binary and ternary photonic crystal configurations are briefly discussed,
and key experimental milestones are reviewed. The article is intended as a self-contained
introduction for students and newcomers to the field.

- Isht Vibhu, Brijesh Shukla, Mohammad Amir, Avaneesh Kumar Singh, Amit Misra, Vishal Singh Chandel *