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Published on: September 26, 2014
Multi-Scale Engineering of Photonic Meta-Structures With Emergent Optical Resonances via Colloidal Crystal
Alexa M Wong1,2, Ramin Yazdaanpanah2,3, Mia J P Pascall1,2
1Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|August 13, 2026
Summary
A novel bottom-up method creates programmable meta-atoms using DNA-guided nanoparticle superlattices. This approach expands optical engineering possibilities by enabling precise control over light-matter interactions.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Materials Science
- Nanotechnology and Nanophotonics
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Metasurfaces offer light-matter interaction control but are limited by top-down fabrication.
- Existing methods restrict compositional flexibility and optical properties of meta-atoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a bottom-up approach for creating programmable meta-atoms.
- To overcome fabrication limitations and expand the design space for optical metasurfaces.
Main Methods:
- Integration of colloidal crystal engineering with DNA and microwell templates.
- Formation of nanoparticle superlattices as programmable meta-atoms.
- Hierarchical tuning of optical response through superlattice parameters.
Main Results:
- Fabrication of meta-structures with periodic cylindrical superlattices.
- Observation of near-infrared Mie resonance with emergent dielectric-like response.
- Demonstration of low effective extinction and volumetric field penetration.
Conclusions:
- Establishes a bottom-up framework for designing advanced photonic meta-structures.
- Highlights the potential for multiscale modularity in optical engineering.
- Enables access to a vast combinatorial design space for tailored optical functionalities.
