Open AccessSimulations of wave propagation and disorder in 3D non-close-packed colloidal photonic crystals with low refractive index contrast
Author(s) -
Олександр Глушко,
R. Meisels,
F. Kuchar
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.18.007101
Subject(s) - refractive index contrast , photonic crystal , finite difference time domain method , materials science , optics , bragg's law , refractive index , plane wave expansion method , colloidal crystal , electromagnetic radiation , scattering , plane wave expansion , plane wave , light scattering , photonics , colloid , condensed matter physics , molecular physics , diffraction , physics , chemistry , fabrication , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
The plane-wave expansion method (PWEM), the multiple-scattering method (MSM) and the 3D finite-difference time-domain method (FDTD) are applied for simulations of propagation of electromagnetic waves through 3D colloidal photonic crystals. The system investigated is not a "usual" artificial opal with close-packed fcc lattice but a dilute bcc structure which occurs due to long-range repulsive interaction between electrically charged colloidal particles during the growth process. The basic optical properties of non-close-packed colloidal PhCs are explored by examining the band structure and reflection spectra for a bcc lattice of silica spheres in an aqueous medium. Finite size effects and correspondence between the Bragg model, band structure and reflection spectra are discussed. The effects of size, positional and missing-spheres disorder are investigated. In addition, by analyzing the results of experimental work we show that the fabricated structures have reduced plane-to-plane distance probably due to the effect of gravity during growth.