  The existence of photonic stop bands in the self-assembled arrangement of
pores in porous anodic alumina structures is investigated by means of rigorous
2D finite- difference time-domain calculations. Self-assembled porous anodic
alumina shows a random distribution of domains, each of them with a very
definite triangular pattern, constituting a quasi-random structure. The
observed stop bands are similar to those of photonic quasicrystals or random
structures. As the pores of nanoporous anodic alumina can be infiltrated with
noble metals, nonlinear or active media, it makes this material very attractive
and cost-effective for applications including inhibition of spontaneous
emission, random lasing, LEDs and biosensors.
