FURI | Fall 2021

Exploring the Extreme Structural Parameters of Hyperbolic Metamaterials

Hyperbolic metamaterials (HMMs) are nano-engineered metal-dielectric composites that feature extraordinary wave-vector dispersion and spontaneous emission engineering. These properties count strongly on the structural parameters such as unit cell size and the quality of the interface. Conventional HMMs are produced via top-down technologies (e.g., e-beam lithography, focused ion beam), which have inevitably suffered from the limitations of unit size, interfacial roughness, and materials scalability. This project addresses these challenges by exploring extreme structural parameters of HMMs through a scalable self-assembly approach. Designing the building blocks from atomic layers and confined porous units, HMMs with extreme small-sized units and surface roughness at atomic precision can be created. The research opens a door to developing the next generation of photonic and optoelectronic devices for numerous applications, from super-resolution imaging to biosensing and cloaking.