Controlled self-assembly of Langmuir-Blodgett colloidal crystal films of monodispersed silica particles on non-planar substrates

We demonstrate the capabilities of the surface pressure-controlled Langmuir-Blodgett method for the deposition of large-area and highly ordered colloidal crystal films made from monodispersed silica particles having diameters of 600 nm onto flexible polymer sheet and highly-curved light bulb and optical fiber cable surfaces. Via the subsequent addition of an appropriate optical adhesive, our processing results in the formation of highly robust films on the various substrates which can be easily handled without introducing damage. Importantly, we demonstrate that due to the highly ordered nature of the particle films and the residual refractive index contrast that is present in the final composite structures, all films retain at least some of the highly desirable anti-reflective and diffractive properties exhibited by analogous films deposited onto flat substrates. This work opens up the possibility of using colloidal crystal films to induce a range of interesting and potentially commercially significant properties on flat and highly-curved, real-sized, shaped device structures.