Self-Assembled Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces as moulds for Photonic Band Gap Materials

TL;DR

This paper explores the use of self-assembled triply periodic minimal surfaces as templates for creating photonic bandgap materials, demonstrating that certain structures like double diamond and gyroid can support full photonic bandgaps, potentially enabling visible-range applications.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of using self-assembled triply periodic minimal surfaces as molds for photonic materials and calculates their photonic band structures, identifying structures with full bandgaps.

Findings

Double diamond and gyroid structures exhibit full photonic bandgaps.

Potential for creating visible-range photonic bandgap materials.

Diverse materials and lattice constants can realize these structures.

Abstract

We propose systems with structures defined by self-assembled triply periodic minimal surfaces (STPMS) as candidates for photonic bandgap materials. To support our proposal we have calculated the photonic bands for different STPMS and we have found that, at least, the double diamond and gyroid structures present full photonic bandgaps. Given the great variety of systems which crystalize in these structures, the diversity of possible materials that form them and the range of lattice constants they present, the construction of photonic bandgap materials with gaps in the visible range may be presently within reach.