Flow-Controlled Vertical Deposition Method for the Fabrication of Photonic Crystals

Abstract

The use of flow-controlled vertical deposition (FCVD) to prepare photonic crystals and for the self-assembly of colloidal spheres was discussed. FCVD allows the minimization of particle sedimentation and the concentration gradient. The method controls the dropping velocity of the liquid surface, concentration of the suspension, and particle size of the spherical colloids to fabricate colloidal spheres. The relationship of the layer numbers with the particle volume fraction was also discussed.