TiO2-SiO2 one-dimensional photonic crystals of controlled porosity by glancing angle physical vapour deposition

Herein we present a synthetic route to attain porous one-dimensional photonic crystals of high optical quality. The method employed, based on the alternate deposition of TiO2 and SiO2 porous layers by glancing angle physical vapour deposition, yields a highly accessible interconnected pore network throughout the entire multilayer structure. Furthermore, it allows a strict control over the average size and density of the interstitial sites, which results in the precise tuning of the refractive index of the individual layers and thus of the optical response of the ensemble. The controlled environmental response of the multilayer is confirmed by the optical monitoring of the infiltration of liquids of different refractive index.España Ministerio de Ciencia e innovación MAT2008-02166 MAT2007-65764Consolider Projects CSD2007-00007 CSD2008-00023Junta de Andalucía FQM-3579 TEP227

TiO2-SiO2 one-dimensional photonic crystals of controlled porosity by glancing angle physical vapour deposition

Herein we present a synthetic route to attain porous one-dimensional photonic crystals of high optical quality. The method employed, based on the alternate deposition of TiO2 and SiO2 porous layers by glancing angle physical vapour deposition, yields a highly accessible interconnected pore network throughout the entire multilayer structure. Furthermore, it allows a strict control over the average size and density of the interstitial sites, which results in the precise tuning of the refractive index of the individual layers and thus of the optical response of the ensemble. The controlled environmental response of the multilayer is confirmed by the optical monitoring of the infiltration of liquids of different refractive index. © 2010 The Royal Society of Chemistry.This work has been funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain through grants MAT2008-02166 and MAT2007-65764, Consolider Projects (HOPE CSD2007-00007 and CSD2008-00023), and Junta de Andalucía through grants FQM-3579 and TEP2275.Peer Reviewe