Three-dimensional photonic crystals with non-spherical colloids as building blocks

This paper discusses the potential use of non-spherical colloids (see Figure) as the building blocks in self-assembly to fabricate three-dimensional photonic crystals with bandgaps located in the optical regime. The methods of producing non-spherical colloids as monodisperse samples, and with well-defined shapes and tightly controlled dimensions are presented, and the methods employed to organize these non-spherical colloids into 3D crystalline lattices are discussed.