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| :: Microfabrication and Nanoengineered Materials - Highlights |
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- Development of a method for the production of mono-disperse spherical colloidal particles of titania, that can be in the anatase or rutile phase, with diameters in the range of 200 to 500 nm. The method is based on reducing the hydrolysis rates of the titanium tetra-alkoxide precursor by glycolation and subsequent calcination and annealing. These mono-disperse particles allowed for the formation of long-range ordered lattices that exhibited strong Bragg diffraction peaks. (Y. Xia)
- Development of a new approach to backfilling of synthetic opal structures which combines dip-coating and capillary techniques. This method allows for a controlled degree of backfilling and synthesis of open-surface planar titania photonic band gap crystals. This is of importance in planar inverted opals to avoid additional titania coating on top of the inverse opal surface and unwanted photonic surface states that would be detrimental for the development of a photonic band gap. (G. Stucky)
- Fabrication of planar electrically switchable grating devices by two-photon microfabrication and backfilling with a nematic liquid crystal. These devices exhibit low optical scatter due to the well defined surfaces of the polymeric grating lines. A switching contrast of ~ 20 for s-polarized waves was demonstrated with a potential of 30V. These devices are of interest for routing, interconnects, switchable fan outs or low-cost modulators. (J. Perry)
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