Optical properties of bare, sintered and coated opal-based photonic crystals

The transmission properties of close-packed opal-based photonic crystals wi th a SiO2 (n = 1.5) matrix have been examined using the transfer matrix met hod. The response for bare, sintered and coated opals at the X- and L-point s has been studied, which corresponds to plane waves normally incident onto the (100) and (111) crystal planes. The incomplete gap at the L-point full y inhibits the transmission of waves propagating in the [1 1 1] direction f or opal sample thickness of around 20 layers. This property shows that bare opals could be good candidates for complete inhibition of transmission in the near-infrared and visible frequency range for specific orientation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.