DataVXAdvanced Optical MaterialsPaper
journal article·2020-11Open access

Concealed Structural Colors Uncovered by Light Scattering

Eser Metin Akinoglu, Jingchao Song, Calum Kinnear, Yafei Xue, Heyou Zhang, Ann Roberts, Jürgen Köhler, Paul Mulvaney

Advanced Optical Materials· Volume 8· Issue 22
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Source abstract

Abstract

Abstract Unusual structural colors are demonstrated in thin‐film coatings due to a combination of optical interference and light scattering effects. These vivid colors are concealed under ambient illumination but can be observed when light is reflected from the film surface. The origin of the effect is explored computationally and it is shown that, in thin‐films of lossless dielectrics coated on near‐perfect conductors, incident electromagnetic waves form standing waves. Electric field intensities at the thin film interfaces are maximized for wavelengths that fulfil destructive interference conditions, while nanoscale roughness can enhance scattering at these boundaries. The interplay of these two factors yields vivid, thickness‐dependent colors. This approach increases the repertoire of optical effects and perceived colors in thin coatings. When combined with traditional thin‐film interference colours, dichromatic images with distinctly changing colors can be generated, which can function as a covert, optical security feature.
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Research context

Nanomaterials

OpenAlex topics: Surface Roughness and Optical Measurements · Color Science and Applications · Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science School of Chemistry University of Melbourne Parkville VIC 3010 Australia

ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta Optical Systems School of Physics University of Melbourne Parkville VIC 3010 Australia

CSIRO Manufacturing Ian Wark Laboratories Bayview Avenue Clayton VIC 3168 Australia

International Academy of Optoelectronics at Zhaoqing South China Normal University Zhaoqing Guangdong 526238 P. R. China

Spectroscopy of Soft Matter University of Bayreuth Universitätsstraße 30 Bayreuth 94557 Germany

Bavarian Polymer Institute Universitätsstraße 30 Bayreuth 94557 Germany

Bayreuth Institute of Macromolecular Research (BIMF) University of Bayreuth Universitätsstraße 30 Bayreuth 94557 Germany

Funding

Australian Research Council · Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung · University of Melbourne · Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst

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