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Nature 414, 257-258 (15 November 2001) | doi:10.1038/35104718
Photonics: Self-assembly lights up
John D. Joannopoulos
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Abstract
Opals do it, even biomolecules do it, so why can't self-assembly be harnessed to create photonic crystals with near-perfect order? A new technique shows that absolute order may not require absolute control.
Photonic crystals have emerged as a potentially powerful platform for making light do things that were previously impossible1. For example, optical light could be guided through air rather than through optical fibres, which would reduce losses.
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