Abstract: A method of liquid characterisation using an optical characterisation system. The optical characterisation system comprises an optical element comprising a light source and light detector, and defining a light path extending between the light source and light detector. The detector resolves light intensities at varying wavelengths. The system also comprises a liquid container and a photonic crystal attached to the first container surface and facing the interior. The method comprises: recording a first transmission spectrum, wherein at least part of the first and second container surfaces, the interior containing liquid and the photonic crystal intercept the light path, and the interior intercepts the light path before the photonic crystal, and recording a second transmission spectrum. At least part of the first and second container surfaces, the interior containing liquid and the photonic crystal intercept the light path. The photonic crystal intercepts the light path before the interior.

Abstract: A method of liquid characterisation using an optical characterisation system. The optical characterisation system comprises an optical element comprising a light source and light detector, and defining a light path extending between the light source and light detector. The detector resolves light intensities at varying wavelengths. The system also comprises a liquid container and a photonic crystal attached to the first container surface and facing the interior. The method comprises: recording a first transmission spectrum, wherein at least part of the first and second container surfaces, the interior containing liquid and the photonic crystal intercept the light path, and the interior intercepts the light path before the photonic crystal, and recording a second transmission spectrum. At least part of the first and second container surfaces, the interior containing liquid and the photonic crystal intercept the light path. The photonic crystal intercepts the light path before the interior.

Abstract: There is presented a method for geometrically modifying plasmonic structures on a support structure, such as for printing or recording, said method comprising changing a geometry specifically of plasmonic structures, wherein said changing the geometry is carried out by photothermally melting at least a portion of each of the plasmonic structures within the second plurality of plasmonic structures by irradiating, the plasmonic structures with incident electromagnetic radiation having an incident intensity in a plane of the second plurality of plasmonic structures, wherein said incident intensity is less than an incident intensity required to melt a film of a corresponding material and a corresponding thickness as the plasmonic structures within the second plurality of plasmonic structures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a cuvette (100) for use in determining a refractive index of a sample matter in a spectrophotometer (600), the cuvette comprising a container (102) for holding the sample matter, the container (102) having an entry window (121) that allows input radiation to reach the sample matter, the container furthermore having an exit window (122) that allows a part of the input radiation to exit the container part, the entry window and the exit window defining a radiation path; and comprising a photonic crystal (101) rigidly attached to the container or integrally formed in the container and arranged in the radiation path, the photonic crystal having a grating part (111) causing a reflectance spectrum of the photonic crystal to exhibit a resonance. A spectrophotometer is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a cuvette (100) for use in determining a refractive index of a sample matter in a spectrophotometer (600), the cuvette comprising a container (102) for holding the sample matter, the container (102) having an entry window (121) that allows input radiation to reach the sample matter, the container furthermore having an exit window (122) that allows a part of the input radiation to exit the container part, the entry window and the exit window defining a radiation path; and comprising a photonic crystal (101) rigidly attached to the container or integrally formed in the container and arranged in the radiation path, the photonic crystal having a grating part (111) causing a reflectance spectrum of the photonic crystal to exhibit a resonance. A spectrophotometer is also provided.

Abstract: There is presented a method for geometrically modifying plasmonic structures on a support structure, such as for printing or recording, said method comprising changing a geometry specifically of plasmonic structures, wherein said changing the geometry is carried out by photothermally melting at least a portion of each of the plasmonic structures within the second plurality of plasmonic structures by irradiating, the plasmonic structures with incident electromagnetic radiation having an incident intensity in a plane of the second plurality of plasmonic structures, wherein said incident intensity is less than an incident intensity required to melt a film of a corresponding material and a corresponding thickness as the plasmonic structures within the second plurality of plasmonic structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanostructured product with a structurally coloured surface. The nanostructured product includes a substrate with a nanostructured surface having nano-sized pillars or holes arranged in a periodic pattern and extending into or out from the substrate. The bottoms of the nano-sized holes or the tops of nano-sized pillars are provided with metal layers electrically isolated and distanced from a base surface of the nanostructured surface. A transparent or translucent protective layer covers the substrate and the metal layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device having a nano-structured surface capable of providing a structural color to a normal human viewer, the device made being manufactured in one single material. A plurality of nano-structured protrusions (5) is further arranged with a first periodicity (P1) in a first direction and a second periodicity (P2) in a second direction, the first and second periodicity being chosen so that the optical reflection is dominated by specular reflection. The nano-structured protrusions are optionally arranged with a relative spatial randomness (SR) with respect to the average surface positions. The position, size, and randomness of the protrusions are arranged so as to provide, at least up to a maximum angle of incidence (A_in) with respect to a normal to the surface, an angle-independent substantially homogeneous structural color perception for a normal human viewer, at least up to a maximum observation angle (A_obs) with respect to a normal to the surface.