Facile route to magnetophotonic crystals by infiltration of 3D inverse opals with magnetic nanoparticles

• Published in: Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials Vol. 322; no. 9; pp. 1494 - 1496
• Main Authors: Caicedo, J.M., Taboada, E., Hrabovský, D., López-García, M., Herranz, G., Roig, A., Blanco, A., López, C., Fontcuberta, J.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-05-2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Crystals; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Infiltration; Inverse; Magnetism; Magnetization; Magneto-optics; Magnetophotonic crystal; Monitors; Nanoparticle; Nanoparticles; Opal; Optical materials; Optics; Photonic bandgap materials; Physics; Three dimensional; Opal; Magnetophotonic crystal; Magneto-optics; Nanoparticle; Iron oxide; Magnetization; Photonic crystals; Kerr magneto-optical effect; Silica; Nanoparticles; Magnetic particles; Faraday effect; Infiltration; Magnetic properties
• ISSN: 0304-8853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2009.02.139

We report here on the fabrication and characterization of magnetophotonic crystals obtained by infiltrating magnetic nanoparticles (maghemite) into silica-based inverse opals. Good quality opals, with adjustable photonic and magnetic characteristics have been obtained by this method. Magnetic and magneto-optic measurements, performed by using SQUID magnetometry and Kerr and Faraday effects, have been used to monitor the magnetic filling of the opals. It is observed that the Kerr rotation is not proportional to the overall magnetization of the magnetophotonic crystal. Possible scenarios for this unexpected result are discussed.