Three-dimensional photonic bandgap materials:: semiconductors for light

Photonics, the technology of photons (by analogy to electronics, the technology of electrons) will be the driving force for the advancement of areas such as communications and computing, information technology and probably others such as sensing. Photonic band gap (PBG) materials may answer many of their demands. Trying to understand the physics involved is a challenge very eagerly taken on by an ample science community. Although most of the notions dealt with in this discipline are rooted in solid state physics concepts, it is worth pointing out that they were originally borrowed by solid state physics from the theory of electromagnetism. The realizations of actual structures to fulfil theoretical predictions are plenty and they come from very distinct fields. Foremost among the approaches to PBGs, colloidal systems lend themselves to being used as natural starting points for the purpose of creating and using photonic crystals. A broad range of techniques and different sources of knowledge contribute to the interdisciplinary nature of the subject. A whole wealth of materials properties are involved that spring from their architectural scale. From the molecular level, and up to the macroscopic structure, micro- and mesoscopic regimes involve new properties, processes, and phenomena like synthesis in new environments, mechanical, optical, electronic, magnetic and other properties.