Polymer-Based Photonic Crystals

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) Vol. 13; no. 6; pp. 421 - 425
• Main Authors: Edrington, A. C., Urbas, A. M., DeRege, P., Chen, C. X., Swager, T. M., Hadjichristidis, N., Xenidou, M., Fetters, L. J., Joannopoulos, J. D., Fink, Y., Thomas, E. L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH 01-03-2001; WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH
• Subjects: Block Copolymers; Photonic Crystals
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/1521-4095(200103)13:6<421::AID-ADMA421>3.0.CO;2-#

In this report, we highlight the development of polymers as 1D photonic crystals and subsequently place special emphasis on the activities in self‐assembled block copolymers as a promising platform material for new photonic crystals. We review recent progress, including the use of plasticizer and homopolymer blends of diblock copolymers to increase periodicity and the role of self‐assembly in producing 2D and 3D photonic crystals. The employment of inorganic nanoparticles to increase the dielectric contrast and the application of a biasing field during self‐assembly to control the long‐range domain order and orientation are examined, as well as in‐situ tunable materials via a mechanochromic materials system. Finally, the inherent optical anisotropy of extruded polymer films and side‐chain liquid‐crystalline polymers is shown to provide greater degrees of freedom for further novel optical designs.
The development of polymers as photonic crystals is highlighted, placing special emphasis on self‐assembled block copolymers. 1D self‐assembled multilayers as well as 2D and 3D self‐assembled structures are examined, then intricate block polymer structures such as that shown in the Figure are discussed as are birefringent multilayer and elastomeric films.