Macroporous materials—electrochemically grown photonic crystals

Colloidal crystallization has been explored for several years as a fabrication method for photonic crystals. While macroporous materials grown with silica or polymer colloids might exhibit pleasing opalescence, truly novel photonic behavior such as photonic band-gaps, is expected only for very high index of refraction contrast systems. This can possibly be achieved through electrodeposition of semiconductors, polymers, or metals in the interstitial space of self-assembled colloids.