Diffraction properties of ordered arrays of large latex particles

Ordered monolayer and multilayer films of monodisperse 0.2-6 mum latex particles were manufactured using different preparation techniques: Langmuir-Schafer deposition, natural sedimentation, slow drying in high humidity atmosphere, flow cell and vertical deposition. The structures of the films were investigated. Diffraction properties were studied using a laser beam as a probe and by the diffraction optical microscopy with Bertrand lens. For the first time, the stop-bands were observed in the NIR region up to 3200 nm in the reflectance spectra. The array quality is confirmed by the observation of Fabry-Perot fringes in the vicinity of the main Bragg peak. The size of ordered area was estimated by microscope spectroscopy and 2-D fast Fourier transformation (2D-FFT) of optical microscopic pictures. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.