Control over the spectral position of the band gap of opal photonic crystals

Abstract

We demonstrate that the width and spectral position of the band gap of opal photonic crystals can be controlled by varying the concentration of solution in the opal pores. An experimental technique is proposed which enables identification of both the first and second photonic band gaps in the reflection spectrum of opal. The ability to observe the second band gap allows a dispersion relation to be derived for the refractive index of the infiltrated substance. The calculations are performed using a model for a one-dimensional periodic layered medium with two refractive indices. We obtain an ω(k) dispersion relation and the reflection spectra of a photonic crystal in the [111] direction at different solution concentrations.