Nano- and microengineering: Three-dimensional colloidal photonic crystals prepared from submicrometer-sized polystyrene latex spheres pre-coated withluminescent polyelectrolyte/nanocrystal shells

Colloidal photonic crystals doped with luminescent semiconductor nanocrysta ls are prepared here by a layer-by-layer deposition technique. This method, which involves the consecutive electrostatic adsorption of polyelectrolyte and nanocrystals such as CdTe onto submicrometer-sized polystyrene latex g lobules (see Figure), is described as being very Versatile and can be exten ded to the fabrication of either optically active or passive shells of diff erent thickness.