Coupling of polarized light to thin silica-air opal films—representatives of high contrast three-dimensional photonic crystals—has been studied in detail. Photonic stop bands were observed in transmission (reflection) spectra and attributed to diffraction from the {111} crystallographic planes of the twinned fcc structure. Polarization-resolved transmission spectra manifest a strong anisotropy of light propagation in the films—collapses of stop bands have been demonstrated for the $p$-polarized light. Reflection spectra of the films under the $s$-polarized light illumination highlight an unusual behavior of light scattering. Scattered intensity was found to be influenced by multiple Bragg diffraction accompanied by leakage and inflow of energy to major diffraction lobes.

• Received 6 March 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.76.014305