3D Long‐range ordering in ein SiO₂ submicrometer‐sphere sintered superstructure

Abstract

Three‐dimensional arrays of SiO 2 nanometer particles lead to Bragg diffraction effects of visible light—as seen for natural opals, see also this issue's cover—and applications such as photonic bandgap materials. Teh fabrication of the opalline structures is described and details are given of how to obtain ordered compacts. The Figure shows a fracture surface of a sintered sample comprising 390 nm‐diameter silica spheres. magnified image