Color modulation of spatially isolated regions on a single poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgel based etalon

Abstract

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylic acid microgels have been shown to exhibit visible color and unique optical spectra. While these properties have been studied on whole etalons, it is unclear if the etalon's optical properties can be independently modulated on spatially isolated regions of the same etalon. Here we show that indeed the optical properties of spatially isolated regions can be changed independently in response to temperature and pH. This was shown via both visible color changes and reflectance spectroscopy. Furthermore, etalons on flexible devices could be fabricated, and the color of independent spots separately modulated.