Light-controlled band shift in synthetic opals filled with an optically nonlinear dye solution

The light-induced nonlinear response of SiO2 synthetic opals filled with a dye solution in ethanol is experimentally studied. Excitation of samples by radiation with a power density of ~10 W cm-2 causes changes in their transmission and reflection due to the light-induced dynamic shift of the stop band of a photonic crystal. Synthetic opals studied in the paper can be used in optical gates and light-controlled switches.