Disordered zero-index metamaterials based on metal-induced crystallization
Source abstract
Abstract
Abstract Zero-index (ZI) materials are synthetic optical materials with a vanishing effective permittivity and/or permeability at a given design frequency. Recently, it has been shown that the permeability of a zero-index host material can be deterministically tuned by adding photonic dopants. Here, we apply metal-induced crystallization (MIC) in quasi-random metal–semiconductor composites to fabricate large-area zero-index materials. Using Ag–Si as a model system, we demonstrate that the localized crystallization of the semiconductor at the metal/semiconductor interface can be used as a design parameter to control light interaction in such a disordered system. The induced crystallization generates new zero-index states corresponding to a hybridized plasmonic mode emerging from selective coupling of light to the Ångstrom-sized crystalline shell of the semiconductor. Photonic doping can be used to enhance the transmission in these disordered metamaterials, as shown by simulations. Our results establish novel large-area zero-index materials for wafer-scale applications and beyond.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications · Plasmonic and Surface Plasmon Research · Photonic Crystals and Applications
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (55)
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