Can we design a reconfigurable photonic crystal in the visible light range?

ORAL

Abstract

Crystals with a complete photonic band gap are materials composed of mixed dielectric media which result in the reflection of all electromagnetic waves in a given range of wavelengths, commensurate to the length scale of the crystal, and pose an exciting avenue for novel materials. Diamond is a popular target for photonic crystals, which poses an opportunity for reconfigurable matter: can we create a colloidal crystal that switches reversibly to and from the diamond structure? Drawing inspiration from high-pressure phase transitions of diamond-forming atomic systems, we design a system of particles with polyhedral shapes that transitions from diamond to a tetragonal diamond derivative upon a small change in pressure and coincides with a noteworthy modulation of the photonic properties of the crystal. We propose that the transition provides a reversible reconfiguration process for a potential new colloidal material, and we draw parallels between this transition and the materials from which we take inspiration.

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Presenters

  • Rose Cersonsky

    University of Michigan

Authors

  • Rose Cersonsky

    University of Michigan

  • Julia Dshemuchadse

    Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, University of Michigan

  • James A Antonaglia

    University of Michigan

  • Greg Van Anders

    Physics, Engineering Physics, and Astronomy, Queen's University, Queen's University, Department of Physics, Engineering Physics, and Astronomy, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada, Physics, Engineering Physics & Astronomy, Queen's University, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada, University of Michigan

  • Sharon Glotzer

    Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, University of Michigan, Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor