Tiniest modified opals ready to manipulate light flow as photonic crystals

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This scanning electron micrograph image shows an array of milled colloidal spheres on the surface of an artificial opal. Image credit: Lon Woldering et al.
This scanning electron micrograph image shows an array of milled colloidal spheres on the surface of an artificial opal. Image credit: Léon Woldering, et al.

One of the most rapidly advancing areas of applied nanotechnology involves photonic crystals. With their ability to control light propagation, photonic crystals are predicted to replace other methods for devices such as display lasers, circuits and quantum computers. Although complex manufacturing has stunted their fabrication, scientists have recently found a new technique to control the size, shape and chemical flexibility of opals, a type of photonic crystal, to the smallest degree yet.


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