Observation of Bragg reflection in photonic crystals synthesized from air spheres in a titania matrix

Abstract

Three-dimensional photonic crystals made of close-packed air spheres in an interconnected titania matrix have been fabricated using a self-organized template of polystyrene microspheres of 400 nm diameter. The matrix was obtained by vacuum-assisted infiltration of a precursor, with subsequent removal of the microspheres by calcination. Electron microscopy has confirmed the ordering of the structure and the presence of features likely to enlarge the photonic band gap. The reflection spectra of the crystal measured at different angles of incidence are consistent with Bragg’s law and with theoretical calculations, confirming the photonic nature of the material.