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Disordered Diamond-Like Colloidal Networks for Photonic Bandgap Materials

We design self-assembled colloidal structures with diamond symmetry and controlled disorder—enabling exploration of complete photonic bandgaps and light localization in complex media.

This project focuses on the creation of three-dimensional colloidal networks that mimic the diamond crystal structure, a geometry known to support a complete photonic bandgap. Using DNA-mediated self-assembly of pre-shaped colloidal particles, we engineer highly ordered diamond lattices and introduce precise levels of local disorder by tuning particle shape and assembly conditions. The resulting structures maintain key photonic properties while exhibiting enhanced scattering, making them ideal for studying strong light localization. These disordered photonic materials provide a versatile platform for exploring fundamental optical phenomena and advancing the design of next-generation light-controlling materials.

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