Unexpected Dependence of Photonic Band Gap Size on Randomness in Self-Assembled Colloidal Crystals

Duanduan Wan and Sharon C. Glotzer
Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 208002 – Published 17 May 2021
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Abstract

Using computer simulations, we explore how thermal noise-induced randomness in a self-assembled photonic crystal affects its photonic band gaps (PBGs). We consider a two-dimensional photonic crystal composed of a self-assembled array of parallel dielectric hard rods of infinite length with circular or square cross section. We find that PBGs can exist over a large range of intermediate packing densities and the largest band gap does not always appear at the highest packing density studied. Remarkably, for rods with square cross section at intermediate packing densities, the transverse magnetic (TM) band gap of the self-assembled (i.e., thermal) system can be larger than that of identical rods arranged in a perfect square lattice. By considering hollow rods, we find the band gap of transverse electric modes can be substantially increased while that of TM modes show no obvious improvement over solid rods. Our study suggests that particle shape and internal structure can be used to engineer the PBG of a self-assembled system despite the positional and orientational randomness arising from thermal noise.

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  • Received 19 May 2020
  • Revised 7 March 2021
  • Accepted 21 April 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.208002

© 2021 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Polymers & Soft MatterStatistical Physics & ThermodynamicsCondensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Duanduan Wan1,2 and Sharon C. Glotzer1,3,4,*

  • 1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
  • 2School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
  • 3Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
  • 4Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA

  • *sglotzer@umich.edu

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Issue

Vol. 126, Iss. 20 — 21 May 2021

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