Colloidal photonic crystals assembled on the cladding of optical fibers

Abstract

Silica microspheres self-assembled on the outer surface of a standard single-mode silica optical fiber are investigated. The three dimensional colloidal crystals of FCC structure coating on the cylindrical substrate are fabricated through isothermal heating evaporation induced self-assembly. The resulting photonic crystal cylindrical annulus is characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM images illustrate the [111] and [100]-oriented regions, besides the two zones regularly intercrossed pattern. Qualitative analysis and discussion are carried out for the arrangement of various oriented regions.