Fabrication of Hyperuniform Dielectric Networks via Heat-Induced Shrinkage Reveals a Bandgap at Telecom Wavelengths

Recent studies report photonic bandgaps (PBGs) in disordered hyperuniform network structures numerically and experimentally for high enough refractive index contrast. However, the smallest experimental central gap wavelength that one can realize experimentally is not close to the essential near-infrared light spectrum with adverse consequences for specific applications and more advanced experimental studies. Indeed, standard direct laser writing (DLW) lithography does not allow fabrication at a much higher resolution. Here, the authors demonstrate heat-treatment induced uniform shrinkage of the network's polymer template obtained by DLW to reach smaller feature sizes and subsequent silicon coating, resulting in a pronounced gap near telecom wavelengths.

Automated summary

Recent studies have reported the existence of photonic bandgaps (PBGs) in disordered hyperuniform network structures with high enough refractive index contrast. However, the current experimental methods are unable to achieve the smallest central gap wavelength close to the near-infrared light spectrum. In this study, the authors demonstrate a heat-treatment induced shrinkage of the network's polymer template obtained by direct laser writing (DLW), allowing for smaller feature sizes and a pronounced gap near telecom wavelengths.