Abstract: A method of preparing a stable slurry of particles of glass precursors for spray drying and subsequent melting, such as by plasma melting, comprising grinding all constituent particles down to less than 50 microns in size, more desirably down to less than 25 or even less than 20 microns in size, removing the water from, or reducing the water content of the particles, mixing the particles with a liquid polymer binder and dispersant at a solids loading in the range of from 20-30%, more particularly in the range of from 22-27%, more desirably 24% by volume.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a photonic crystal using a combination of extruding and drawing techniques. The method is contemplated as being capable of producing both two and three dimensional crystals due to the maturity and diversity of extruding and drawing technology. The method allows the drawing of relatively large photonic crystals and is flexible enough to provide a periodic array of channels or filaments as the crystal features. After the extruding step or steps and before the step of heating and drawing, a plurality of elongated extruded bodies can be bundled and drawn as a unit.