These images are from an experiment that found nanoscale diamonds can behave like photonic crystals.
These images are from an experiment that found nanoscale diamonds can behave like photonic crystals.Photonic crystals have a structure that absorbs light in specific frequency bands, allowing for a fine control and manipulation of light. In nature, photonic crystals can be found in butterfly wings and opals. Chameleons have photonic crystals embedded in their skin - this allows them to change their colours.We currently use polymer photonic crystals for things such as reflective lens coatings. Diamond, which is more reflective and robust, could broaden the range of ways we use photonic crystals.: Grichko et al., Nanotechnology, 2008 -- source link