Subwavelength coatings and methods for making and using same

摘要

Methods are disclosed for forming subwavelength coatings for use in the UV, visible, or infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum. A first material and a second material are deposited onto a substrate. The first material may include dielectric spheres of subwavelength size that self-assemble on the substrate to form a template or scaffold with subwavelength size voids between the spheres into which the second material is deposited or filled. First and second materials are heated on the substrate at a preselected temperature to form the subwavelength coating.

主权项

1. A method of forming a subwavelength plasmonic mesh coating, comprising the steps of:
depositing a first material comprising dielectric particles of a subwavelength size onto a substrate that self-assemble thereon forming a monolayer template with subwavelength voids between the dielectric particles; etching the dielectric particles to reduce the size thereof and increase the size of the subwavelength voids between the dielectric particles in the monolayer template; coating the monolayer template with a second material comprising a metal selected from Ag, Au, Al, or combinations thereof to substantially fill the subwavelength voids therein; heating the monolayer template at a temperature from about 100° C. to about 300° C. for a time sufficient to sinter the second metal material therein forming a continuous and substantially periodic metal mesh between the dielectric particles in the subwavelength voids; and removing the dielectric particles from the monolayer template to form the subwavelength plasmonic metal mesh coating on the substrate.