Polymer-based photonic crystals

In this report, we highlight the development of polymers as 1D photonic cry stals and subsequently place special emphasis on the activities in self-ass embled block copolymers as a promising platform material for new photonic c rystals. We review recent progress, including the use of plasticizer and ho mopolymer blends of diblock copolymers to increase periodicity and the role of self-assembly in producing 2D and 3D photonic crystals. The employment of inorganic nanoparticles to increase the dielectric contrast and the appl ication of a biasing field during self-assembly to central the long-range d omain order and orientation are examined, as well as in-situ tunable materi als via a mechanochromic materials system. Finally, the inherent optical an isotropy of extruded polymer films and side-chain liquid-crystalline polyme rs is shown to provide greater degrees of freedom for further novel optical designs.