JAXA THREE-DIMENSIONAL PHOTONIC CRYSTAL EXPERIMENT (3DPC)
Research Area: Materials Science
Expedition(s): 12, 16
Principal Investigator(s): ● Kensaku Ito, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
● Junpei Yamanaka, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
● Yoshihiro Takiguchi, Hamamatsu Photonics KK, Hamamatsu,
Japan
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
This experiment is aimed at developing technology to make 3-D photonic crystals (3DPC) by
self-arrangement of colloidal nanoparticles in space. The photonic crystal will be widely used
for optical devices such as optical spectral analyzers or pulse compression/extension devices.
This study also demonstrates the effectiveness of the microgravity environment for industrial
application.
EARTH BENEFIT
The findings of this experiment, including
numerous patents, led to industrial applications
such as the research and development of a pen-
shaped micro spectroscope that uses a millimeter-
sized photonic crystal and the manufacturing of
uniform-sized silica microparticles. Moreover, the
findings also led to the development of a new
colloid crystallization method, which in turn helped
start several related venture companies.
SPACE BENEFIT
This investigation is applied to new knowledge, and not specifically to advances in space
exploration.
RESULTS
The 3DPC Experiment was flown aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Millimeter-sized
photonic crystals made with silica particles were obtained. As a result of reflectance
spectrometry, improvement in uniformity of grid interval was observed. It was confirmed that
uniform photonic crystal made with 200 nm-sized silica particles was achieved for the first time
in human history due to the micro-gravity environment. Generation of centimeter-sized
uniform photonic crystals made with heavier particles than silica was not obtained in this
experiment.
Photonic Crystal made in space. JAXA
image.