Artificial Defect Engineering in Three-Dimensional Colloidal Photonic Crystals

Artificial defect engineering in 3D colloidal photonic crystals is of paramount importance in terms of device applications. Over the past few years, we have carried out a great deal of research on introducing artificial defects, including point, line, and planar defects, in 3D colloidal photonic crystals by using "bottom-up" self-assembly in combination with "top-down" micromachining techniques. In this Feature Article, we summarize our research results regarding the engineering of artificial defects in self-assembled 3D photonic crystals, along with other important research breakthroughs in the literature. The significant advancements in the engineering of defects as reviewed here together with the encouraging reports on the fabrication of perfect colloidal crystals without unwanted defects will collectively lead to technological applications of self-assembled 3D photonic crystals in the near future.