Fabrication and properties of metalo-dielectric photonic crystal structures for infrared spectral region

We report structural and optical properties of three-dimensional periodic metallic woodpile structures obtained by direct laser writing in dielectric photoresist SU-8 and subsequent electroless coating by a thin Ni film. Signatures of photonic stop gaps were observed in optical reflection spectra of the structures at infrared wavelengths. This study demonstrates that the combination of DLWand chemical infiltration of metals is attractive as a simple and cost-efficient method for the fabrication of metalo-dielectric photonic crystals. (C) 2007 Optical Society of America