Controlling thermal emission of phonon by magnetic metasurfaces

Indirect measurement of infrared absorption spectrum through thermal emission of meta-cavity array

Controlling thermal emission is essential for various infrared spectroscopy applications. Metasurfaces can be utilized to control multiple degrees of freedom of thermal emission, enabling the compact thermal emission materials and devices. Infrared spectroscopy such as FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), usually requires external infrared radiation source and complex spectroscopic devices for absorption spectrum measurement, which hinders the implementation of integrated compact and portable measurement equipment. Measuring absorption spectrum through the thermal emission of pixelated thermal emitter array can facilitate the integration and miniaturization of measurement setup, which is highly demanded for on-chip spectroscopy applications. Here, we experimentally demonstrate an integrated technology that allows for indirect measurement of the absorption spectrum through the thermal emission of meta-cavity array. This indirect measurement method opens a new avenue for compact infrared spectroscopy analysis.

Large-area long-wave infrared broadband all-dielectric metasurface absorber based on markless laser direct writing lithography

Scalable and low-cost manufacturing of broadband absorbers for use in the long-wave infrared region are of enormous importance in various applications, such as infrared thermal imaging, radiative cooling, thermal photovoltaics and infrared sensor. In recent years, a plethora of broadband absorption metasurfaces made of metal nano-resonators with plasmon resonance have been synthesized. Still, their disadvantages in terms of complex structure, production equipment, and fabrication throughput, limit their future commercial applications. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a broadband large-area all-dielectric metasurface absorber comprised of silicon (Si) arrys of square resonators and a silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) film in the long-wave infrared region. The multiple Mie resonance modes generated in a single-size Si resonator are utilized to enhance the absorption of the Si₃N₄ film to achieve broadband absorption. At the same time, the transversal optical (TO) phonon resonance of Si₃N₄ and the Si resonator's magnetic dipole resonance are coupled to achieve a resonator size-insensitive absorption peak. The metasurface absorber prepared by using maskless laser direct writing technology displays an average absorption of 90.36% and a peak absorption of 97.55% in the infrared region of 8 to 14 µm, and still maintains an average absorption of 88.27% at a inciedent angle of 40°. The experimentally prepared 2 cm × 3 cm patterned metasurface absorber by markless laser direct writing lithography (MLDWL) exhibits spatially selective absorption and the thermal imaging of the sample shows that the maximum temperature difference of 17.3 °C can exist at the boundary.

Multispectral camouflage for infrared, visible, lasers and microwave with radiative cooling

Interminable surveillance and reconnaissance through various sophisticated multispectral detectors present threats to military equipment and manpower. However, a combination of detectors operating in different wavelength bands (from hundreds of nanometers to centimeters) and based on different principles raises challenges to the conventional single-band camouflage devices. In this paper, multispectral camouflage is demonstrated for the visible, mid-infrared (MIR, 3-5 and 8-14 μm), lasers (1.55 and 10.6 μm) and microwave (8-12 GHz) bands with simultaneous efficient radiative cooling in the non-atmospheric window (5-8 μm). The device for multispectral camouflage consists of a ZnS/Ge multilayer for wavelength selective emission and a Cu-ITO-Cu metasurface for microwave absorption. In comparison with conventional broadband low emittance material (Cr), the IR camouflage performance of this device manifests 8.4/5.9 °C reduction of inner/surface temperature, and 53.4/13.0% IR signal decrease in mid/long wavelength IR bands, at 2500 W ∙ m^-2 input power density. Furthermore, we reveal that the natural convection in the atmosphere can be enhanced by radiation in the non-atmospheric window, which increases the total cooling power from 136 W ∙ m^-2 to 252 W ∙ m^-2 at 150 °C surface temperature. This work may introduce the opportunities for multispectral manipulation, infrared signal processing, thermal management, and energy-efficient applications.

Low-Cost Microbolometer Type Infrared Detectors

The complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) microbolometer technology provides a low-cost approach for the long-wave infrared (LWIR) imaging applications. The fabrication of the CMOS-compatible microbolometer infrared focal plane arrays (IRFPAs) is based on the combination of the standard CMOS process and simple post-CMOS micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) process. With the technological development, the performance of the commercialized CMOS-compatible microbolometers shows only a small gap with that of the mainstream ones. This paper reviews the basics and recent advances of the CMOS-compatible microbolometer IRFPAs in the aspects of the pixel structure, the read-out integrated circuit (ROIC), the focal plane array, and the vacuum packaging.

Minimalist Mie coefficient model

When considering light scattering from a sphere, the ratios between the expansion coefficients of the scattered and the incident field in a spherical basis are known as the Mie coefficients. Generally, Mie coefficients depend on many degrees of freedom, including the dimensions and electromagnetic properties of the spherical object. However, for fundamental research, it is important to have easy expressions for all possible values of Mie coefficients within the existing physical constraints and which depend on the least number of degrees of freedom. While such expressions are known for spheres made from non-absorbing materials, we present here, for the first time to our knowledge, corresponding expressions for spheres made from absorbing materials. To illustrate the usefulness of these expressions, we investigate the upper bound for the absorption cross section of a trimer made from electric dipolar spheres. Given the results, we have designed a dipolar ITO trimer that offers a maximal absorption cross section. Our approach is not limited to dipolar terms, but indeed, as demonstrated in the manuscript, can be applied to higher order terms as well. Using our model, one can scan the entire accessible parameter space of spheres for specific functionalities in systems made from spherical scatterers.

Flexible TiO2/PVDF/g-C3N4 Nanocomposite with Excellent Light Photocatalytic Performance

As the world faces water shortage and pollution crises, the development of novel visible light photocatalysts to purify water resources is urgently needed. Over the past decades, most of the reported photocatalysts have been in powder or granular forms, creating separation and recycling difficulties. To overcome these challenges, a flexible and recyclable heterostructured TiO₂/polyvinylidene fluoride/graphitic carbon nitride (TiO₂/PVDF/g-C₃N₄) composite was developed by combining electrospinning, sintering and hydrothermal methods. In the composite, PVDF was used as a support template for removing and separating the photocatalyst from solution. Compared with pure TiO₂, the TiO₂/PVDF/g-C₃N₄ composite exhibited the extended light capture range of TiO₂ into the visible light region. The photogenerated carriers were efficiently transferred and separated at the contact interface between TiO₂ and g-C₃N₄ under visible light irradiation, which consequently increased the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst. In addition, the flexible composites exhibited excellent self-cleaning properties, and the dye on the photocatalysts was completely degraded by the as-prepared materials. Based on the intrinsic low cost, recyclability, absorption of visible light, facile synthesis, self-cleaning properties and good photocatalytic performances of the composite, the photocatalyst is expected to be used for water treatment.

Thermal camouflage based on the phase-changing material GST

Camouflage technology has attracted growing interest for many thermal applications. Previous experimental demonstrations of thermal camouflage technology have not adequately explored the ability to continuously camouflage objects either at varying background temperatures or for wide observation angles. In this study, a thermal camouflage device incorporating the phase-changing material Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) is experimentally demonstrated. It has been shown that near-perfect thermal camouflage can be continuously achieved for background temperatures ranging from 30 °C to 50 °C by tuning the emissivity of the device, which is attained by controlling the GST phase change. The thermal camouflage is robust when the observation angle is changed from 0° to 60°. This demonstration paves the way toward dynamic thermal emission control both within the scientific field and for practical applications in thermal information.