Gyroid Optical Metamaterials

This thesis explores the fabrication of gyroid-forming block copolymer templates and the optical properties of the resulting gyroid optical metamaterials, significantly contributing to our understanding of both. It demonstrates solvent vapour annealing to improve the long-range order of the templates, and investigates the unique crystallisation behaviour of their semicrystalline block. Furthermore, it shows that gyroid optical metamaterials that exhibit only short-range order are optically equivalent to nanoporous gold, and that the anomalous linear dichroism of gyroid optical metamaterials with long-range order is the result of the surface termination of the bulk gyroid morphology. Optical metamaterials are artificially engineered materials that, by virtue of their structure rather than their chemistry, may exhibit various optical properties not otherwise encountered in nature (e.g. a negative refractive index). However, these structures must be significantly smaller than the wavelength of visible light and are therefore challenging to fabricate using traditional “top down” techniques. Instead, a “bottom up” approach can be used, whereby optical metamaterials are fabricated via templates created by the self-assembly of block-copolymers. One such morphology is the gyroid, a chiral, continuous and triply periodic cubic network found in a range of natural and synthetic self-assembled systems.

Metamaterials are artificially designed materials engineered to acquire their properties by their specific structure rather than their composition. They are considered a major scientific breakthrough and have attracted enormous attention over the past decade. The major challenge in obtaining an optical metamaterial active at visible frequencies is the fabrication of complex continuous metallic structures with nano metric features. This thesis presents the fabrication and characterization of optical metamaterials made by block copolymer self assembly. This approach allows fabrication of an intriguing and complex continuous 3D architecture called a gyroid, which is replicated into active plasmonic materials such as gold. The optical properties endowed by this particular gyroid geometry include reduction of plasma frequency, extraordinarily enhanced optical transmission, and a predicted negative refractive index. To date, this is the 3D optical metamaterial with the smallest features ever made.

To meet the demands of students, scientists and engineers for a systematic reference source, this book introduces, comprehensively and in a single voice, research and development progress in emerging metamaterials and derived functional metadevices. Coverage includes electromagnetic, optical, acoustic, thermal, and mechanical metamaterials and related metadevices. Metamaterials are artificially engineered composites with designed properties beyond those attainable in nature and with applications in all aspects of materials science. From spatially tailored dielectrics to tunable, dynamic materials properties and unique nonlinear behavior, metamaterial systems have demonstrated tremendous flexibility and functionality in electromagnetic, optical, acoustic, thermal, and mechanical engineering. Furthermore, the field of metamaterials has been extended from the mere pursuit of various exotic properties towards the realization of practical devices, leading to the concepts of dynamically-reconfigurable metadevices and functional metasurfaces. The book explores the fundamental physics, design, and engineering aspects, as well as the full array of state-of-the-art applications to electronics, telecommunications, antennas, and energy harvesting. Future challenges and potential in regard to design, modeling and fabrication are also addressed.

Metamaterials—artificially structured materials with engineered electromagnetic properties—have enabled unprecedented flexibility in manipulating electromagnetic waves and producing new functionalities. This book details recent advances in the study of optical metamaterials, ranging from fundamental aspects to up-to-date implementations, in one unified treatment. Important recent developments and applications such as superlens and cloaking devices are also treated in detail and made understandable. The planned monograph can serve as a very timely book for both newcomers and advanced researchers in this extremely rapid evolving field.

From science fiction to science laboratoriesDiscover the State of the Art in Photonic MetamaterialsMetamaterials-composite media with unusual optical properties-have revolutionized the landscape of optical science and engineering over the past decades. Metamaterials have transformed science-fiction-like concepts of superresolution imaging and optic

Phenomena of Optical Metamaterials provides an overview of phenomena enabled by artificial and designed metamaterials and their application for photonic devices. The book explores the study of active metamaterials with tunable and switchable properties and novel functionalities, such as the control of spontaneous emission and enhancement. Topics addressed cover theory, modelling and design, applications in practical devices, fabrication, characterization, and measurement, thus helping readers understand and develop new artificial, functional materials. Addresses disorder in metamaterials from the perspective of different viewpoints Introduces basic metamaterial modelling approaches and phenomena enabled by metamaterials Discusses the latest advances in metamaterials, including hyperbolic metamaterials, disorder in metamaterials, active metamaterials, quantum and atomic metamaterials

The liquid-liquid interface and the two-phase, organic-aqueous systems are a key part of materials science. This book is written both as a state-of-the-art review on the materials synthesised through interfaces and a theoretical introduction on the properties and the fundamentals of the interface. It should be of interest to researchers currently working in various industrial sectors, academia and consultancy.The book deals with newly developed fluorescent polymers, nanoparticle arrays through interfaces and their potential applications in energy storage, enhanced oil recovery and sensors.Chapter 1 provides an overview of interfaces in natural and biological systems. Chapter 2 outlines the fundamental properties of the interface. Chapters 3 and 4 are devoted to the synthesis and self-organisation of nanoparticles and polymers through interfacial systems. The synthesis of conductive, fluorescent and conventional polymers and their properties are extensively covered, with the most important findings from the recent literature highlighted. A deeper analysis on their electronic transport, magnetic and optical properties is beyond the scope of this work and rather an introduction on these properties is presented. Finally, the closing Chapter 5 serves as a discussion and analysis on the potential applications of liquid-liquid boundaries and of the materials synthesised through them.