New Optical Properties of Synthetic Opals Infiltrated by DNA

Abstract

Optical properties of photonic crystals (synthetic opals) with DNA inserted inside the crystals have been registered and analyzed in the visible and IR ranges. A decrease in the intensity of vibration spectra of DNA infiltrated in opal is observed. Molecules of DNA placed in the cavities of a photonic crystal became invisible for the detection by visible and IR spectroscopies. Spectroscopic features of DNA in a photonic crystal indicate the formation of condensed DNA inside and at the surface of the photonic crystal. The emission of the “DNA – photonic crystal” system has been registered at room temperature. By confocal microscopy, we have visualized DNA at the surface of a photonic crystal. The experimental results are explained by assuming the formation of coupled photonic states of DNA and a photonic crystal.