Abstract
We report the design, fabrication, and characterization of ultralight highly emissive structures with a record-low mass per area that emit thermal radiation efficiently over a broad spectral (2 to 30 microns) and angular (0-60°) range. The structures comprise one to three pairs of alternating metallic and dielectric thin films and have measured effective 300 K hemispherical emissivity of 0.7 to 0.9 (inferred from angular measurements which cover a bandwidth corresponding to 88% of 300K blackbody power). To our knowledge, these micron-scale-thickness structures, are the lightest reported optical coatings with comparable infrared emissivity. The superior optical properties, together with their mechanical flexibility, low outgassing, and low areal mass, suggest that these coatings are candidates for thermal management in applications demanding of ultralight flexible structures, including aerospace applications, ultralight photovoltaics, lightweight flexible electronics, and textiles for thermal insulation.
Highlights
Understanding the limits to far field [1,2] radiative energy transfer is fundamental to many areas of science
Appropriate control of far field thermal radiation can increase the efficiency of solar cells [8], can have a global impact
We report the design, fabrication and characterization of polymeric thermally emissive metasurfaces based on Salisbury screen [24,25] and Jaumann absorber [26] concepts
Summary
Understanding the limits to far field [1,2] radiative energy transfer is fundamental to many areas of science. This subject has enjoyed expanded interest and effort in recent years with the advent of tailored electromagnetic materials such as metamaterials and metasurfaces [3,4,5]. Fundamental interest in the far field thermal radiation is multifold. On one hand, it is the primary way of cooling objects in space [6], where convection is lacking. Appropriate control of far field thermal radiation can increase the efficiency of solar cells [8], can have a global impact
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