Tailored Thin Films: Modulating Soft Photonics with Dynamically Tunable Large Area Microstructures via Controlled Thermal Processing

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Biswas, Srijeeta, Sahu, Renu Raman, Shinkre, Omkar Deokinandan Nayak, Meena, Shubham, Ramnishanth, Vailshery, Mark, Gupta, Tapajyoti Das
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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_version_ 1866910788947542016
author Biswas, Srijeeta
Sahu, Renu Raman
Shinkre, Omkar Deokinandan Nayak
Meena, Shubham
Ramnishanth
Vailshery, Mark
Gupta, Tapajyoti Das
author_facet Biswas, Srijeeta
Sahu, Renu Raman
Shinkre, Omkar Deokinandan Nayak
Meena, Shubham
Ramnishanth
Vailshery, Mark
Gupta, Tapajyoti Das
contents Self-assembled nano and micro-structures, particularly those capable of responsive erasure and regeneration, have garnered significant interest for their applications in smart photonics and electronics. However, current techniques for modulating these architectures largely depend on network rearrangement, posing challenges for in situ regeneration. Furthermore, their common fabrication techniques are complex and uncontrolled with the structures formed not being amenable for large area applications, thus compromising their economic viability. Herein, we present a controlled thermal process strategy for fabricating large-area, dynamically tunable, 1D,2D and 3D micro and nanostructures on a wide range of compatible materials including metals, semiconductors and polymers. By tuning the temperature changes in the system, thermal expansion coefficients of thin films and substrates, surface energy, Youngs modulus and thickness of the thin films we achieve robust, uniform, periodic structures over extensive areas on soft and stretchable substrates. The process is further supported by a theoretical model that we developed and validated by experiments and simulations. To showcase the robustness of our approach, we present prototypes of dynamically tunable diffraction gratings, optical diffusers, large-area reflective displays, camouflage devices, out-coupling efficiency enhancers, wearable devices and mechanochromic sensors.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2501_05736
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Tailored Thin Films: Modulating Soft Photonics with Dynamically Tunable Large Area Microstructures via Controlled Thermal Processing
Biswas, Srijeeta
Sahu, Renu Raman
Shinkre, Omkar Deokinandan Nayak
Meena, Shubham
Ramnishanth
Vailshery, Mark
Gupta, Tapajyoti Das
Applied Physics
Optics
Self-assembled nano and micro-structures, particularly those capable of responsive erasure and regeneration, have garnered significant interest for their applications in smart photonics and electronics. However, current techniques for modulating these architectures largely depend on network rearrangement, posing challenges for in situ regeneration. Furthermore, their common fabrication techniques are complex and uncontrolled with the structures formed not being amenable for large area applications, thus compromising their economic viability. Herein, we present a controlled thermal process strategy for fabricating large-area, dynamically tunable, 1D,2D and 3D micro and nanostructures on a wide range of compatible materials including metals, semiconductors and polymers. By tuning the temperature changes in the system, thermal expansion coefficients of thin films and substrates, surface energy, Youngs modulus and thickness of the thin films we achieve robust, uniform, periodic structures over extensive areas on soft and stretchable substrates. The process is further supported by a theoretical model that we developed and validated by experiments and simulations. To showcase the robustness of our approach, we present prototypes of dynamically tunable diffraction gratings, optical diffusers, large-area reflective displays, camouflage devices, out-coupling efficiency enhancers, wearable devices and mechanochromic sensors.
title Tailored Thin Films: Modulating Soft Photonics with Dynamically Tunable Large Area Microstructures via Controlled Thermal Processing
topic Applied Physics
Optics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.05736