Shear ordering in polymer photonic crystals.
Optical scattering spectra are recorded in situ on flowing colloidal polymeric nanocomposites which are sheared into photonic crystals at 150 degrees C using a high-pressure quartz-cell multipass rheometer. Broadband spectroscopy of the resonant Bragg scattering peak allows the direct observation of crystal formation and melting of monodisperse core-shell particles. A range of flow conditions of this solventless, highly viscous melt reveals four distinct regimes of crystal growth and decay which match a simple rheological model. Extraction of crystal thickness, order and lattice spacing are validated by one-dimensional electromagnetic simulations.
Snoswell
D R E
DR
Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, CB3 0HE Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Kontogeorgos
A
A
Baumberg
J J
JJ
Lord
T D
TD
Mackley
M R
MR
Spahn
P
P
Hellmann
G P
GP
D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry; D055620:Optical Phenomena; D017785:Photons; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D014783:Viscosity
D011108:Polymers