Finite difference analysis and experimental validation of 3D photonic crystals for structural health monitoring

Valentina Piccolo; Andrea Chiappini; Alessandro Vaccari; Antonino Calà Lesina; Maurizio Ferrari; Luca Deseri; Marcus Perry; Daniele Zonta

doi:10.1117/12.2263975

12 April 2017 Finite difference analysis and experimental validation of 3D photonic crystals for structural health monitoring

Valentina Piccolo, Andrea Chiappini, Alessandro Vaccari, Antonino Calà Lesina, Maurizio Ferrari, Luca Deseri, Marcus Perry, Daniele Zonta

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10168, Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems 2017; 101681E (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2263975
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2017, Portland, Oregon, United States

Abstract

In this work, we validate the behavior of 3D Photonic Crystals for Structural Health Monitoring applications. A Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) analysis has been performed and compared to experimental data. We demonstrate that the photonic properties of a crystal (comprised of sub-micrometric polystyrene colloidal spheres embedded in a PDMS matrix) change as a function of the axial strain applied to a rubber substrate. The change in the reflected wavelength, detected through our laboratory experiments and equivalent to a visible change in crystal color, is assumed to be caused by changes in the interplanar spacing of the polystyrene beads. This behavior is captured by our full wave 3D FDTD model. This contains different wavelengths in the visible spectrum and the wave amplitudes of the reflected and transmitted secondary beams are then computed. A change in the reflectance or transmittance is observed at every programmed step in which we vary the distance between the spheres. These investigations are an important tool to predict, study and validate our understanding of the behavior of this highly complex physical system. In this context, we have developed a versatile and robust parallelized code, able to numerically model the interaction of light with matter, by directly solving Maxwell's equations in their strong form. The ability to describe the physical behavior of such systems is an important and fundamental capability which will aid the design and validation of innovative photonic sensors.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Valentina Piccolo, Andrea Chiappini, Alessandro Vaccari, Antonino Calà Lesina, Maurizio Ferrari, Luca Deseri, Marcus Perry, and Daniele Zonta "Finite difference analysis and experimental validation of 3D photonic crystals for structural health monitoring", Proc. SPIE 10168, Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems 2017, 101681E (12 April 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2263975

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available