Switchable Narrowband Diffuse Thermal Emission With an In3SbTe2‐Based Planar Structure

Laser & Photonics Review, vol. 19

Abstract

Abstract Tailoring of thermal radiation is critical for applications like daytime radiative cooling, thermophotovoltaic energy conversion, and gas sensing. Phase‐change materials (PCMs) offer an additional degree of freedom, enabling reconfigurable thermal emission by actively triggering phase transitions. In particular, In3SbTe2 (IST) features a unique non‐volatile phase transition in the infrared between an amorphous dielectric state and a crystalline metallic state. Although efficient and easily manufacturable alternatives to conventional infrared light sources will be highly desirable, achieving narrowband and diffuse emission using a simple, lithography‐free structure incorporating PCMs for dynamic functionalities has remained elusive. Here, a planar reconfigurable narrowband thermal emitter using an IST layer on top of a Salisbury screen is demonstrated. The design achieves high emissivity around the ambient thermal wavelength in the amorphous phase and low emissivity in the crystalline phase, featuring angle‐ and polarization‐independent behavior. Multiple patterns are optically written into the IST layer, demonstrating centimeter‐scale programmability as well as a resolution of 20 µm. This work paves the way toward reconfigurable and easily manufacturable devices, showing potential for applications in labeling and anticounterfeiting.

Authors 6

1. Maxime Giteau

   Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Institute of Photonic Sciences · Laboratoire Procédés, Matériaux et Energie Solaire

   Affiliation as printed

   CNRS, Laboratoire PROcédés Matériaux et Energie Solaire (PROMES) UPR 8521 Odeillo 66120 France

   ICFO ‐ The Institute of Photonics Sciences Castelldefels Barcelona 08860 Spain

   ICFO - The Institute of Photonics Sciences, Castelldefels, Barcelona, 08860 Spain

2. Lukas Conrads Aachen Institute of Physics (IA)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Physics (IA) RWTH Aachen University 52056 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Physics (IA), RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany

3. Robert Heinrich Schmitt Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT 52056 Aachen Germany

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, 52056 Aachen, Germany

4. Matthias Wuttig Aachen Institute of Physics (IA)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Physics (IA) RWTH Aachen University 52056 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Physics (IA), RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany

5. Thomas Taubner Aachen Institute of Physics (IA)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Physics (IA) RWTH Aachen University 52056 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Physics (IA), RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany

6. Georgia T. Papadakis corresponding

   Institute of Photonic Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   ICFO ‐ The Institute of Photonics Sciences Castelldefels Barcelona 08860 Spain

   ICFO - The Institute of Photonics Sciences, Castelldefels, Barcelona, 08860 Spain