PHOTONIC BAND-GAP EFFECT IN A SOLID-STATE CLUSTER LATTICE

We report on the photonic band gap phenomenon in the visible range in a three-dimensional dielectric lattice formed by close-packed spherica l silica clusters. The spectral position and the spectral width of the optical stop band depend on the direction of light propagation with r espect to the crystal axes of the lattice and on the relative cluster- to-cavity refraction index. Manifestations of the photonic pseudogap h ave been established for the transmission spectra and for the emission spectra of the dye molecules embedded in the intercluster cavities. S lowing down of the luminescence decay has been observed which is attri buted to the influence of the photon density of states on the spontane ous emission rate.