Constructing 3D crystal templates for photonic band gap materials using holographic optical tweezers.
A simple and robust method is presented for the construction of 3-dimensional crystals from silica and polystyrene microspheres. The crystals are suitable for use as templates in the production of three-dimensional photonic band gap (PBG) materials. Manipulation of the microspheres was achieved using a dynamic holographic assembler (DHA) consisting of computer controlled holographic optical tweezers. Attachment of the microspheres was achieved by adjusting their colloidal interactions during assembly. The method is demonstrated by constructing a variety of 3-dimensional crystals using spheres ranging in size from 3 microm down to 800 nm. A major advantage of the technique is that it may be used to build structures that cannot be made using self-assembly. This is illustrated through the construction of crystals in which line defects have been deliberately included, and by building simple cubic structures.
Benito
D C
DC
HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK.
Carberry
D M
DM
Simpson
S H
SH
Gibson
G M
GM
Padgett
M J
MJ
Rarity
J G
JG
Miles
M J
MJ
Hanna
S
S
D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006696:Holography / Q000379:methods*; D008422:Materials Testing; D052898:Optical Tweezers; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017785:Photons; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*
D011137:Polystyrenes; D012822:Silicon Dioxide