A fast method for preparing a large diameter, three-dimensional photonic crystal infrared stealth material

With the development of infrared detection technology, the threat of infrared detection technology to military targets in the battlefield is becoming more and more serious. Novel infrared stealth materials are in urgent demand. Photonic crystals are promising infrared stealth materials because they can prohibit the propagation of electromagnetic waves in a certain frequency range. This paper outlines a simple and fast method to fabricate three-dimensional photonic crystals for stealth material. Monodisperse polystyrene colloid microspheres with a particle size of 2 μm were prepared and used in a gas–liquid interface self-assembly to form a three-dimensional photonic crystal infrared stealth material. The infrared absorption peak wavelengths of the material were 3.30 μm and 3.42 μm. The band gap is in good agreement with the photon forbidden band (3.24–3.44 μm) obtained from simulation and calculation using Rsoft software. The material meets the requirements of an infrared stealth material and realizes the modulation of the infrared radiation characteristics of the detectable band of 3–5 μm. The process provides a simple, economical, fast, and efficient new method for the preparation of large diameter, three-dimensional photonic crystal infrared stealth materials.