Spherical micromirrors from templated self-assembly: Polarization rotation on the micron scale

Abstract

We demonstrate a fabrication route to individual micron-scale metallic spherical mirrors. The mirrors are prepared by electrochemical growth through the interstitial voids of a self-assembled latex sphere template. Excellent spherical mirrors of Au and Pt are obtained with unusual polarization properties in which multiple reflections with distinct anisotropies are found due to geometric polarization rotation. Such micromirrors can form the basis of low-cost microcavity structures and microlasers.

Mimicking the colourful wing scale structure of the Papilio blumei butterfly

“…If light that is polarized at an angle c to the initial plane of incidence is retro-reflected by the double bounce, it will pick up a polarization rotation of 2c and the intensity distribution through collinear polarisers is therefore given by cos 2 (2c). This leads to an interesting phenomenon: when placing the sample between crossed polarizers, light reflected off the centres of the cavities is suppressed, whereas retro-reflected light from four segments of the cavity edges is detected 10,11 (Fig. 1d, right).…”

“…1g). This double reflection induces a geometrical polarization rotation 10 . If light that is polarized at an angle c to the initial plane of incidence is retro-reflected by the double bounce, it will pick up a polarization rotation of 2c and the intensity distribution through collinear polarisers is therefore given by cos 2 (2c).…”

Naturally Self-Assembled Nanosystems and Their Templated Structures for Photonic Applications

“…After having optimized electrodeposition conditions, such as electrolyte recipe, surface quality, structural, and optical properties, we have extensively investigated to fabricate 2D and 3D periodic and quasiperiodic nano/micro-structure from template-assisted growth techniques [11,12,17,82]. During this investigation, several composite semiconductors such as CdSe, CdTe, ZnO, PbO, PbS, and PbI 2 are successfully fabricated and their optoelectronic properties are thoroughly investigated.…”

“…At molecular levels, one of the examples of self-assembly is the intercalation strategy wherein the organic entities are spacefilled within naturally self-assembled crystalline inorganic semiconductor hosts, with an opportunity to produce a very special and tailor-made semiconductor, known as inorganicorganic hybrids [6][7][8]. In a macro level, mono dispersed mesa sized spherical colloids are self-assembled to form three-dimensionaly periodic lattices and are famously known as synthetic opals (3D photonic crystals) [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Another relatively easy and cost-effective methodology to produce nano to wavelength-scaled photonic structures with longrange order is through self-organized systems, which can be used to create periodic patterns, followed by material filling into the interstitial spaces through techniques like electrochemical deposition.…”

Tunable resonant optical microcavities by self-assembled templating

“…1A and 1B) give an indication of the mirror's quality, discussed elsewhere. 13 By growing the micromirrors on semitransparent substrates we take advantage of the thin Au coating at the base of the mirror to couple light into the cavity (Fig. 1C).…”