Tracing the Effect of Slow Photons in Photoisomerization of Azobenzene

The effects of photonic properties on an organic photochemical reaction are traced out by monitoring the wavelength-dependent rate of photoisomerization of azobenzene tethered to silica opals of different sphere sizes. Optical enhancements arising from slow photons at both the blue- and red-edge of the photonic stop band are observed.