Laser implantation of sodium nitrite ferroelectric into pores of synthetic opal

We present the experimental results on implantation of NaNO₂ ferroelectric into pores of synthetic opal by illuminating with focused ultraviolet excimer-laser radiation of a sodium nitrite film located on the synthetic-opal surface. The reflection spectra of broadband radiation from the surface of implanted specimens are compared with the reflection spectra of initial (without any treatment) opals, synthetic opals filled with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium nitrite with subsequently evaporated solvent, and specimens with NaNO₂ embedded as a melt. The possible mechanisms of shifts of reflected- and transmitted-radiation peaks are analyzed. Methods of implanting materials with high melting points into pores of 3D photonic crystals are proposed.