Photonic glass based structural color

Abstract

Structural coloration, which is based on spectrally selective scattering from optical structures, has recently attracted wide attention as a replacement of pigment colors based on the selective light absorption in chemical structures. Structural colors can be produced from transparent non-toxic materials and provide high stability under solar radiation. To provide angle independent non-iridescent colors, the structure should combine spectral selectivity with an isotropic response. Photonic glass (PhG), a disordered arrangement of monodisperse spheres, is a versatile structure to achieve that, which provides isotropic spectral selectivity via short-range order and Mie resonances. However, conventional PhGs show low color purity that hinders their future application. The interplay of single-particle scattering, short-range order, broadband absorption, and Fresnel reflection is a route to improve the color. In this perspective, we review the field of PhG based structural colors and discuss the physical mechanism behind the color generation by several established theories. We point out the current challenges in the theory and possible directions to improve color purity.