Photon heterostructures based on single-crystal opal films

An approach for creation of photon film crystals based on opal structures is developed on the basis of the properties of nanocrystallization in suspensions of monodisperse spherical silica particles (MSSP). There are two different methods for obtaining opal heterostructures. The first method is based on the joint nanocrystallization of large and small spherical particles when large particles are regularly distributed among small particles that are also arranged in a complex order. While, the second method is associated with successes in obtaining opal-structure films on a solid substrate, depositing films with different structures on one another, and thus creating heterostructures consisting of two or three films. MSSPs in the meniscus region in the primary nanocrystal are separated by liquid layers whose thickness is approximately equal to two ion atmospheres. High-quality single-crystal films that contain minimum defects and no twins are obtained.