| abstract |
A number of ordered colloidal suspension Bragg reflection optical devices are disclosed each of which comprises a receiver for receiving incident electromagnetic radiation, a modulator, responsive to at least one characteristic of the received radiation, for modulating the received radiation and an emitter for emitting the modulated radiation. The receiver, modulator and the emitter comprise a crystalline colloidal suspension having a lattice structure comprised of a plurality of parallel planes of ordered, electrically charged spheres suspended in an optically active medium, adjacent ones of the planes having a substantially uniform spacing therebetween. The optically active medium comprises molecules selected to have a predetermined index of refraction, radiation absorption, radiation emission or a nonlinear optical response property at a wavelength substantially equal to twice the spacing between the planes. The medium may contain a dye solute, the particular dye being selected to have a radiation absorption and/or emission wavelength which is substantially equal to twice the spacing between the parallel planes. |