Photonic Crystals and Their Analogues as Tools for Chemical Analysis

Nature has created nanostructures that have attracted attention because of a combination of unique properties. Photonic crystals capable of reflecting a narrow band of visible radiation are among many ordered nanostructures, used in optics, electronics, nanotechnology, and chemical analysis. A slight impact on photonic crystals at the macro level brings to significant changes at the micro level. This property formed a basis for the creation of selective sensors for rapid analysis. The creation of sensor matrices based on photonic crystals comprises three main stages: the formation of ordered structures, imparting specific properties to them, and recording and interpretating an analytical signal. Such an integrated approach results in sensor devices that enable the real-time determination of the concentrations of targets of various nature: from ions and small molecules to proteins and cells.