Scientists from Aalto University have proposed a three-dimensional metamaterial with isotropic effects in the visible spectral range.
The new metamaterial is formed by randomly oriented bimaterial nanocylinders in the host medium. Image credit: Ihar Faniayeu / Aalto University.
Unlike natural materials, metamaterials and metasurfaces can be tailored to have specific electromagnetic properties. This means scientists can create materials with desirable functionality for industrial applications.
A newly proposed metamaterial takes advantage of nonreciprocal magnetoelectric (NME) effects.
“The NME effect implies a link between specific properties of materials (magnetization and polarization) and various field components of light and other electromagnetic waves,” lead author Shadi Safaei Jaji et al. said.
Although this effect is negligible in natural materials, scientists are looking to enhance it using metamaterials and metasurfaces because of the technological possibilities it unlocks.
“So far, the NME effect has not translated into practical industrial applications,” Jazio said.
“Most of the proposed approaches only work for microwaves, not visible light, and could not be manufactured with available technology.”
“We used conventional materials and nanofabrication techniques to design an optical NME metamaterial that can be created with existing technology.”
This new material enables applications that previously required strong external magnetic fields. For example, creating a truly one-way glass.
“Glass currently sold as 'one-way' is translucent and transmits light in both directions,” says Jayge.
“If the brightness is different on both sides (for example, inside and outside the window), it acts like one-way glass.”
“However, with NME-based unidirectional glass, light can only pass in one direction, so there is no need for differences in brightness.”
“Imagine having that glass in your home, office, and car window.”
“Regardless of the brightness outside, you can't see anything inside and have a perfect view from the window.”
“If the technology is successful, this unidirectional glass could also increase the efficiency of solar cells by blocking the thermal radiation that existing cells emit toward the sun, thereby reducing the amount of energy that the cells capture. It will be done.”
of work It was published in the magazine nature communications.
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S. Safaei Jazz other. 2024. Optical Telegen metamaterial with spontaneous magnetization. Nat Commune 15, 1293; doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-45225-y
Source: www.sci.news
