Pixellated photonic crystal films by selective photopolymerization

Mosaic patterns of blue, green, and orange colors (see figure) are obtained using a multi-step photolithography process. Inverse opal films have been pixellated by this process using colloidal crystals as templates, resulting in multi-color patterns. The degree of photo-polymerization is controlled by adjusting the UV exposure time and, thus, the refractive color of the inverse opal can be modulated.