This is an experimental investigation of photonic band structure and its effects on localization of light in disordered optical superlattices. Photonic band structure will be measured in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum in colloidal crystals. In crystals with high refractive index contrast, photon localization will be pursued by introduction of appropriate disorder. Picosecond time-of-flight, coherent backscattering, and speckle spectroscopy will be among the probes used to examine photon transport in these materials. The results of this research will advance the understanding of localization and transport properties of classical waves in random media as well as electron localization in disordered conductors.
