Abstract
The laser damage behavior of three-dimensional photonic crystals (3D-PCs) with an opal structure is investigated using both experimental and simulation methods. Polystyrene (PS) colloidal crystals films with a reflection peak at 1064 nm are used as the model material. Disordered films (DF) are fabricated with PS microspheres as contrast samples. The laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of 3D-PCs is tested, which is as 2.35 times high as the LIDT of DF. All laser damages are derived from defects in 3D-PCs, implying that the LIDT of ideal 3D-PCs will be significantly increased. The simulation results show that the electric field is contained in the pores of 3D-PCs while it is reduced in the PS microspheres, which may decrease the absorption of laser energy by 3D-PCs. In contrast, the electric field distribution is irregular in DF. Enhanced electric field areas are located in both the pores and microspheres of DF. Considering higher electric field intensity causes more energy absorption and higher temperature, the DF have a lower LIDT. The 3D-PCs structure uses ordered vacancy to contain and strike back laser energy and can increase the LIDT without changing the chemical composition of materials.
Highlights
The laser damage behavior of three-dimensional photonic crystals (3D-Photonic crystals (PCs)) with an opal structure is investigated using both experimental and simulation methods
It is reported that a photonic band gaps (PBGs) fiber carries most of the transmitted power in its hollow core and as little as 0.2% of the energy in the silica[19], which results in a laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) representing an order of 4 improvement compared to solid-core photonic crystal fibers[20]
The LIDT of 3D-PCs is 2.35 times high as the LIDT of Disordered films (DF) fabricated with the same material
Summary
The laser damage behavior of three-dimensional photonic crystals (3D-PCs) with an opal structure is investigated using both experimental and simulation methods. For a versatile tool to generate and manipulate laser, laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of PCs is a key property that decides the whole performance[10]. Traditional optical coatings such as high reflection coatings, anti-reflection coatings, and beam splitters are composed of periodic dielectric films and can be regarded as one-dimensional PCs (1D-PCs). Du et al argued that for a small period-to-wavelength ratio, electromagnetic fields do not vary spatially and the periodicity of nanostructures would be less important to their performance[27] In this sense, the ordered nanoporous coating was not a typical photonic crystal for the laser used in the testing. High LIDT was reported for three dimensional disordered nanoporous antireflective coatings as well and the influence of orderliness on LIDT was not discussed[27,28]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
