We apply inverse numerical methods to design compact wideband reflectors in which a periodic silicon layer supports resonant leaky modes. Using particle swarm optimization to determine appropriate device thickness, period, and fill factors, we arrive at example reflector designs for both TE and TM polarized input light. As a properly configured grating profile provides added design freedom, we design reflectors with two and four subparts in the period. In TM polarization, a particular singlelayer two-part reflector has 520 nm bandwidth whereas the four-part device reaches 600 nm bandwidth. In TE polarization, the corresponding numbers are 125 nm and 495 nm, respectively. We provide a qualitative explanation for the smaller TE-reflector bandwidth. We quantify the effects of deviation from the design parameters and compute the angular response of the elements. As the angle of incidence deviates from normal incidence, narrow transmission channels emerge in the response yielding a bandpass filter with low sidebands. The effects of adding a silica sublayer between a silicon substrate and the periodic silicon layer is investigated. It is found that a properly designed sublayer can extend the reflection bandwidth significantly.

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