Polymer Colloidal Photonic Crystals for Laser Applications

Abstract

Monodispersed micro-particles have an intrinsic capability to self-assemble the face-centered cubic (fcc) lattice structures on the substrate surface from the suspension media. Such highly ordered 3-D architectures of colloidal particles are called as the colloidal crystals(CCs). The CC structures have received tremendous interests as one of the alternative and facile fabrication technique of photonic crystals(PCs). A brief review of recent research progress in the use of CC as PCs is described. This review highlights not only interesting precedents of the CC researches, but also a new potential utility for flexible polymer CC lasers.