Mind the Microgap in Iridescent Cellulose Nanocrystal Films

A new photonic structure is produced from cellulose nanocrystal iridescent films reflecting both right and left circularly polarized light. Micrometer-scale planar gaps perpendicular to the films' cross-section between two different left-handed films' cholesteric domains are impregnated with a nematic liquid crystal. This photonic feature is reversibly tuned by the application of an electric field or a temperature variation.

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