Phase transition-governed opal–VO2 photonic crystal

Three-dimensional opal–VO2 photonic crystals were prepared by the chemical bath deposition technique. The x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopic data confirm the crystalline perfection of VO2 impregnated into synthetic opal pores. It is shown from the optical reflectivity measurements that the photonic bandgap of the opal–VO2 composite is governed by the phase transition in VO2.