Direct laser writing of three-dimensional photonic crystals with complete a photonic bandgap in chalcogenide glasses

Direct laser writing in chalcogenide glasses of three-dimensional (3D) photonic crystals (see Figure) with a complete photonic bandgap is reported. This novel approach allows for the direct fabrication of arbitrarily shaped 3D microstructures in high refractive index materials. Woodpile structures are fabricated in less than two hours, whose optical properties are compatible with a complete gap of 3.5%.