Toward a full understanding of the growth dynamics, optical response, and crystalline structure of self-assembled photonic colloidal crystal films

Gabriel Lozano; Luis A. Dorado; Ricardo A. Depine; Hernán R. Míguez

doi:10.1117/12.853435

14 May 2010 Toward a full understanding of the growth dynamics, optical response, and crystalline structure of self-assembled photonic colloidal crystal films

Gabriel Lozano, Luis A. Dorado, Ricardo A. Depine, Hernán R. Míguez

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7713, Photonic Crystal Materials and Devices IX; 771303 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.853435
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2010, Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

Recent advances in the comprehension of the growth dynamics of colloidal crystal films opens the door to conscious design of experiments aiming at fabricating lattices in which the density of intrinsic defects is minimized. Since such imperfections have a dramatic effect on scattered light of wavelength smaller than the lattice constant, the evaluation of the experimental optical response at those energy ranges, based on the comparison to rigorous calculations, is identified as the most sensitive guide to accurately evaluate the progress towards the actual realization of defect free colloidal crystals. The importance of the existence of a certain distortion becomes particularly relevant at the above mentioned energy range. We have thoroughly analyzed the effect of fine structural features on the optical response to conclude that, rather than the generally assumed FCC lattice of spheres, opal films are better approximated by a rhombohedral assembly of distorted colloids. Interparticle distance of actual colloidal crystals coincides with the expected diameter for spheres belonging to the same close-packed (111) plane but differs significantly in directions oblique to the [111] one.

Citation Download Citation

Gabriel Lozano, Luis A. Dorado, Ricardo A. Depine, and Hernán R. Míguez "Toward a full understanding of the growth dynamics, optical response, and crystalline structure of self-assembled photonic colloidal crystal films", Proc. SPIE 7713, Photonic Crystal Materials and Devices IX, 771303 (14 May 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.853435

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available