Synthesis and properties of three-dimensional lattices exhibiting photonic pseudogap in the visible range

摘要

We show that a promising way towards photonic crystals for the visible range is connected with the synthetic opals which consist of close-packed submicron silica spheres. By filling intersphere voids with different liquids and titanium oxide it is possible to enhance refraction index modulation and to optimize the topology of the structure. Impregnation of opal with absorbing material, such as Fe_2O_3, allows us to investigate the influence of absorption on the optical properties of the photonic crystals.