Self-assembled photonic crystals and methods for manufacturing same

摘要

Self-assembled photonic crystals, including large sphere planar opals, infiltrated planar opals and inverted planar opals, as well as methods for manufacturing same are provided. Large sphere planar opals are manufactured according to a method comprising the steps of: synthesizing monodisperse silica spheres, wherein each of the silica spheres has a diameter greater than or equal to about 400 nanometers; purifying the silica spheres; and self-assembling the silica spheres into a plurality of ordered, planar layers on a substrate. Infiltrated planar opals may also be manufactured by further processing the large sphere planar opal by sintering the planar opal and infiltrating the planar opal with a predetermined material. Inverted planar opals may further be manufactured by removing the silica spheres from the infiltrated planar opal. Various modifications to the substrate and planar opal are also provided to enhance the properties of these photonic crystals.