Transmission characteristics of DNA templated 1D photonic crystal system for 3D printing applications: Simulation

Abstract

This paper discusses the novel features of DNA-templated one dimensional photonic crystals (1D PC) for additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing applications. AM applications utilize a variety of materials with tailored thermal, physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. However, the integration of optical properties into AM materials is less explored. AM parts produced from the materials having specific optical properties opens up many opportunities to develop novel integrated optoelectronic and photonic systems and provide sustainable structural color to the produced parts. This work proposes micro level periodic structures which can be used to replace existing color dyes for durable, non-toxic, cost-effective 3D printing applications. Based on ink jet printing technology, we designed DNA templated one dimensional (1D) photonic crystal (PC) of three-layer unit cell. The light transfer properties of the proposed 1D PC were examined theoretically in the range of 400 nm–800 nm of visible region of light using transfer matrix method (TMM). The photonic bandgap for DNA templated 1D PC is obtained around 450 nm and 650 nm of visible spectra region. The theoretical simulation shows that the presence of DNA template decreases the band gap width in the visible region and the three-layered periodic system helped to control the formation of multiple color bands in the visible region. The dispersion relation also confirmed that the electromagnetic fields in the stratified structure have been undergone multiple scattering and that results the formation of bandgap within the visible region. We also presented the standard deviation of the transmission coefficients in the range of 450 nm–650nm of visible spectra. Based on these observation and analysis, DNA templated PCs can be effective for tuning desired color spectra. Besides, this system can be used to replace the existing health hazardous synthetic dyes by incorporating with inkjet printing processes to create durable and colored 3D objects for aesthetic as well as technical purposes.