Entire Visible Wavelength Research Articles

Electropolishing of Magnesium and Its Alloys using a Safe Glycol Solution containing Sodium Chloride

Abstract The electropolishing behavior of pure magnesium and its alloys in ethylene glycol (EG), diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol (TrEG), and tetraethylene glycol (TeEG) solutions containing sodium chloride was investigated using electrochemical measurements, microscopic observations, and reflectance measurements. Large light-grayish cloudy areas with micrometer-scale linear irregularities were formed on the magnesium surface via constant-voltage electrolysis in the EG solution, whereas mirror-finished magnesium surfaces were successfully obtained in the DEG and TeEG solutions. Among these, the DEG solution is considered appropriate for electropolishing because of its lower viscosity and market price. The reflectance of the entire visible wavelength region gradually increased with time during electrolysis in the DEG solution at 308 K. We found that short-term electrolysis for 3 min at the higher voltage of 75 V should be selected if a moderately polished surface is to be rapidly obtained, whereas long-term electrolysis for 60-300 min at 50 V should be performed if a highly polished surface with an extremely high reflectivity measuring more than 80% can be obtained. Three-dimensional magnesium specimens with curved and spiral shapes and an LZ91 magnesium alloy consisting of a simple solid-solution matrix can also be electropolished via electrolysis in a DEG solution.

Considerable Piezochromism in All-Inorganic Zero-Dimensional Perovskite Nanocrystals via Pressure-Modulated Self-Trapped Exciton Emission.

Piezochromic materials refer to a class of matters that alter their photoluminescence (PL) colors in response to the external stimuli, which exhibit promising smart applications in anti-counterfeiting, optoelectronic memory and pressure-sensing. However, so far, most reported piezochromic materials have been confined to organic materials or hybrid materials containing organic moieties with limited piezochromic range of less than 100 nm in visible region. Here, we achieved an intriguing piezochromism in all-inorganic zero-dimensional (0D) Cs3Cu2Cl5 nanocrystals (NCs) with a considerable piezochromic range of 232 nm because of their unique inorganic rigid structure. The PL energy shifted from the lowest-energy red fluorescence (1.85 eV) to the highest-energy blue fluorescence (2.83 eV), covering almost the entire visible wavelength range. Pressure-modulated self-trapped exciton emission between different energy levels of self-trapped states within Cs3Cu2Cl5 NCs was the main reason for this piezochromism property. Note that the quenched emission, which is over five times more intense than that in the initial state, is retained under ambient conditions upon decompression. This work provides a promising pressure indicating material, particularly used in pressure stability monitoring for equipment working at extreme environments.

Considerable Piezochromism in All‐Inorganic Zero‐Dimensional Perovskite Nanocrystals via Pressure‐Modulated Self‐Trapped Exciton Emission

AbstractPiezochromic materials refer to a class of matters that alter their photoluminescence (PL) colors in response to the external stimuli, which exhibit promising smart applications in anti‐counterfeiting, optoelectronic memory and pressure‐sensing. However, so far, most reported piezochromic materials have been confined to organic materials or hybrid materials containing organic moieties with limited piezochromic range of less than 100 nm in visible region. Here, we achieved an intriguing piezochromism in all‐inorganic zero‐dimensional (0D) Cs3Cu2Cl5 nanocrystals (NCs) with a considerable piezochromic range of 232 nm because of their unique inorganic rigid structure. The PL energy shifted from the lowest‐energy red fluorescence (1.85 eV) to the highest‐energy blue fluorescence (2.83 eV), covering almost the entire visible wavelength range. Pressure‐modulated self‐trapped exciton emission between different energy levels of self‐trapped states within Cs3Cu2Cl5 NCs was the main reason for this piezochromism property. Note that the quenched emission, which is over five times more intense than that in the initial state, is retained under ambient conditions upon decompression. This work provides a promising pressure indicating material, particularly used in pressure stability monitoring for equipment working at extreme environments.

High-performance orthorhombic correlated transparent conducting epilayer integrated on a flexible mica substrate: The case of CaMoO3

Recently, cubic perovskite SrTMO3 (TM = V, Nb, and Mo) compounds have attracted great interest as correlated transparent conducting oxides (CTCOs). However, in theory, none of these three oxides is capable of completely covering the entire visible (Vis) light wavelength range with transparency. Herein, epitaxial orthorhombic CaMoO3 thin films were grown on flexible mica substrates using a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. By exploiting the tilting of MoO6 octahedra, an optimal balance between plasma energy (ћωp) and electrical conductivity (σ) was realized in CaMoO3. Electronic transport characterizations indicated that the σ value of CaMoO3 is comparable to that of SrTMO3. The optical transmittance spectra demonstrated that the CaMoO3 film possesses superior Vis transparency compared to SrTMO3. From the ellipsometry analysis, it was found that the O 2p – V 3d interband transition occurs at around 4.16 eV while the screened plasma energy (ћωp) is approximately 1.37 eV. The favorable absorption edges for both the long and short wavelength regions ensure the high transparency of CaMoO3 across the entire Vis spectrum. Additionally, bending cyclic tests illustrated the excellent mechanical durability and endurance of the CaMoO3/mica films. The present work is instructive for exploring alternative CTCOs beyond SrTMO3, demonstrating that the optimal balance between ћωp and σ can be realized by manipulating the TMO6 octahedral tilting to improve the transparent conducting performance of correlated perovskite-type oxides.

Aluminum-based plasmonic metasurface for computational spectrometry with full coverage of visible light.

Reconstructive spectrometers/spectral cameras have immense potential for portable applications in various fields, including environmental monitoring, biomedical research and diagnostics, and agriculture and food safety. However, the performance of these spectrometers/spectral cameras is severely limited by the operational bandwidth, spectral diversity, and angle sensitivity of the spectral modulation devices. In this work, we propose a compact spectrometer based on plasmonic metasurfaces that operate across the entire visible wavelength range, covering wavelengths from 400 to 750 nm. We experimentally demonstrate the effective spectral reconstruction achieved by the designed metasurface spectrometer, exhibiting angle tolerance to the incident light within the range of ± 12°. Our results highlight the potential for constructing broadband, large field-of-view hyperspectral cameras.

Design of a novel anti-reflective coating with ultra-low reflectance based on resin-anchored hollow silica strategy

The strategy of resin-anchored hollow silica particles (HSPs) offers a tempting option for large-scale fabrication of anti-reflective functional surfaces on flexible plastic substrates. However, attempts to experimentally investigate the structure-performance relationship of such anti-reflective coatings and to further optimize the coating structure require long experimental cycles and significant labor costs. In view of this, the effectiveness of using COMSOL two-dimensional (2D) simulation to solve the problem is validated in conjunction with experimental results. Then three coating structure models are investigated. Finally, a coating with ultra-low reflectance in the entire visible wavelength band (380–780 nm) is designed. The coating has a novel structure consisting of resin-anchored double-layer unequal-size HSPs. It combines two anti-reflective principles, the moth-eye bionic structure and the refractive index adjustment of the film layer. The maximum reflectance of the coating is only 0.32 % over the entire visible wavelength range, and its average reflectance reaches an ultra-low level of 0.14 %. The coating has a wide angle anti-reflective performance. When the angle of incidence is <60°, the reflectance of the coating is <3 %. The results of this study are expected to provide direction for later experimental improvements.

Chiroptical Nanocellulose Bio-Labels for Independent Multi-Channel Optical Encryption.

Advanced multiplexing optical labels with multiple information channels provide a powerful strategy for large-capacity and high-security information encryption. However, current optical labels face challenges of difficulty to realize independent multi-channel encryption, cumbersome design, and environmental pollution. Herein, multiplexing chiroptical bio-labels integrating with multiple optical elements, including structural color, photoluminescence (PL), circular polarized light activity, humidity-responsible color, and micro/nano physical patterns, are constructed in complex design based on host-guest self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals and bio-gold nanoclusters. The thin nanocellulose labels exhibit tunable circular polarized structural color crossover the entire visible wavelength and circularly polarized PL with the highest-recorded dissymmetry factor up to 1.05 due to the well-ordered chiral organization of templated gold nanoclusters. Most importantly, these elements can independently encode customized anti-counterfeiting information to achieve five independent channels of high-level anti-counterfeiting, which are rarely achieved in traditional materials and design counterparts. Considering the exceptional seamless integration of five independent encryption channels and the recyclable features of labels, the bio-labels have great potential for the next generation anti-counterfeiting materials technology.

Multifocal metalens for detecting several topological charges at different wavelengths

A combined high-aperture metalens in a thin silicon nitride film, which consists of two inclined sector metalens, is considered. Each sector metalens consists of a set of binary subwavelength gratings. The diameter of the lens is 14 μm. It has been shown using time-domain finite difference method that the metalens can simultaneously detect optical vortices with two topological charges –1 and –2, in almost the entire visible wavelength range. The metalens can distinguish several wavelengths that are focused at different points in the focal plane: a 1 nm change in wavelength results in a focal spot shift of about 4 nm. When the metalens is illuminated by a Gaussian beam with left-handed circular polarization, two optical vortices with topological charges 1 and 2 are simultaneously formed at 6 nm between each other at focal distance equals 6 nm. This metalens can be used to increase information in transmission channel in wireless telecommunication systems by selecting the space-time modes of laser radiation with different topological charges and different wavelengths. The considered microlens is an example of a compact demultiplexer.

Broadband Diffractive Graphene Orbital Angular Momentum Metalens by Laser Nanoprinting

Optical beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) play an important role in micro-/nanoparticle manipulation and information multiplexing in optical communications. Conventional OAM generation setups require bulky optical elements and are unsuitable for on-chip integration. OAM generators based on metasurfaces can achieve ultracompact designs. However, they generally have limited working bandwidth and require complex designs and multistep time-consuming fabrication processes. In comparison, graphene metalenses based on the diffraction principle have simple designs and can be fabricated by laser nanoprinting in a single step. Here, we demonstrate that a single ultrathin (200 nm) graphene OAM metalens can integrate OAM generation and high-resolution focusing functions in a broad bandwidth, covering the entire visible wavelength region. Broadband graphene OAM metalenses with flexibly controlled topological charges are analytically designed using the detour phase method considering the dispersionless feature of the graphene material and fabricated using ultrafast laser nanoprinting. The experimental results agree well with the theoretical predictions, which demonstrate the accuracy of the design method. The broadband graphene OAM metalenses can find broad applications in miniaturized and integrated photonic devices enabled by OAM beams.

Evaluation of a surface roughness-dependent trimodal switchable mirror using a dry deposition method

We used a nanoparticle deposition system (NPDS) to fabricate surface roughness-dependent trimodal switchable mirrors using a non-electrochromic antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) film with dry-deposited micro- and nano-sized ATO particles. The devices switched among transparent, mirror and black states. Reversible Ag electrodeposition onto flat ITO glass and the rough surface of the ATO film obviated the need for an electrochromic material. NPDS creates very rough films by supersonically spraying powder onto a substrate. The roughness of the micro-sized ATO film was greater than that of the nano-sized ATO film. As both films were sufficiently rough, a completely black state could be achieved by both devices (0% transmittance over the entire visible wavelength), attributable to light scattering. In contrast, the electrochemical properties of devices with the micro-sized ATO film were superior to those of devices using the nano-sized ATO film because the greater roughness increased the active surface. The charge transfer resistance of devices with the micro-sized film (38 Ω) was lower than that of devices with the nano-sized film (44 Ω). The charge capacity of devices with the micro-sized film (109.87 mC/cm2) was much higher than that of devices with the nano-sized (95.59 mC/cm2). The cyclic transmittance of the device using the micro-sized ATO film was evaluated over 500 cycles with 0% diminution for its durability. Therefore, a trimodal switchable mirror was demonstrated by controlling the surface roughness of a non-electrochromic film. • Dry deposition of particles can control surface roughness of the film. • Trimodal switchable mirror was achieved successfully without electrochromic film. • The electrode with rough surface forms complete black state by light scattering. • Performance of switchable mirror device was compared depending on surface roughness.

Predicting Real‐Time Spectra from High‐Speed Imaging: An Ultrafast Machine Vision Framework for Online Optical Control in Microfluidics

AbstractAutomated laboratory pipelines empowered by the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) have been reshaping the paradigm of chemical and material discovery. While intelligent decision‐making strategies have been developed that enable fast convergence to optimal reaction conditions, the overall efficiency is still bottlenecked by the slow acquisition of online characterization units, especially in microfluidics‐based systems. In response, an ultrafast machine vision framework is hereby developed to directly predict optical spectra from real‐time high‐speed imaging in this article. Utilizing uniquely engineered deep‐learning algorithms, this framework automatically detects droplets and recapitulates high‐quality spectra from embedded image features in a sub‐millisecond timeframe. In a proof‐of‐concept example, droplets are detected with an average precision of 99.75% within 0.51 ms, and their spectra spanning the entire visible wavelengths are predicted with an average peak error of 5.32 nm, which is equivalent to 1.6% of the visible range. The work demonstrates the first example of an all‐imaging‐based machine learning framework deployed in a real‐time environment for the full replacement of an analytical instrument. It highlights the broader possibility of AI in material researches to break the physical limitations of online diagnostics and to further boost efficiencies in self‐driving laboratories.

AlGaOx nanowires obtained by wet oxidation as a visible white phosphor under UV-LED illumination

We obtain white luminescence by the oxidation of GaAs/Al-rich Al0.87Ga0.13As nanowire which is visible to the eye. The oxidized amorphous AlGaOx shell emits light over a wide spectral range covering entire visible wavelengths between 400–700 nm. The emission intensity depends on the oxidation temperature and time. Through the optimization of those conditions, we observe clear white light from the sample by the eye under the illumination of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes, which would be applicable as a white light phosphor.

Reversible photonic hydrogel sensors via holographic interference lithography

Continuous monitoring of physiological conditions and biomarkers via optical holographic sensors is an area of growing interest to facilitate the expansion of personalised medicine. Here, a facile laser-induced dual polymerization method is developed to fabricate holographic hydrogel sensors for the continuous and reversible colorimetric determination of pH variations over a physiological range in serum (pH 7–9). Readout parameters simulated through a Finite-difference time-domain Yee's algorithm retrieve the spectral response through expansion. Laser lithography of holographic hydrogel sensor fabrication is achieved via a single 355 nm laser pulse to initiate polymerization of ultrafine hydrogel fringes. Eliminating the requirement for complex processing of toxic components and streamlining the synthetic procedure provides a simpler route to mass production. Optimised pH-responsive hydrogels contain amine bearing functional co-monomers demonstrating reversible Bragg wavelength shifts of 172 nm across the entire visible wavelength range with pH variation from 7.0 to 9.0 upon illumination with broadband light. Photolithographic recording of information shows the ability to convey detailed information to users for qualitative identification of pH. Holographic sensor reversibility over 20 cycles showed minimal variation in replay wavelength supporting reliable and consistent readout, with optimised sensors showing rapid response times of <5 min. The developed sensors demonstrate the application to continuous monitoring in biological fluids, withstanding interference from electrolytes, saccharides, and proteins colorimetrically identifying bovine serum pH over a physiological range. The holographic sensors benefit point-of-care pH analysis of biological analytes which could be applied to the identification of blood gas disorders and wound regeneration monitoring through colorimetric readouts.

Broad-band Chiral Absorbance of Visible Light.

The amplification of chiral absorbance and emission is a primary figure of merit for the design of chiral chromophores. However, for dyes to be practically relevant in chiroptical applications, they must also absorb and/or emit chiral light over broad wavelength ranges. We investigate the interplay between molecular symmetry and broad-band chiral absorbance in a series of [6]helicenes. We find that an asymmetric [6]helicene containing two distinct chromophores absorbs chiral light across a much wider wavelength range than the symmetric [6]helicenes investigated here. Chemically reducing the helicenes shifts the absorption edge of the ECD spectra into the near-infrared wavelength range while preserving broad chiral absorption, producing a [6]helicene that absorbs a single handedness of light across the entire visible wavelength range.

Superresolution concentration measurement realized by sub-shot-noise absorption spectroscopy

Absorption spectroscopy is one of the most widely used spectroscopic methods. The signal-to-noise ratio in conventional absorption spectroscopy is ultimately limited by the shot noise, which arises from the statistical property of the light used for the measurement. Here we show that the noise in absorption spectra can be suppressed below the shot-noise limit when entangled photon pairs are used for the light source. By combining broadband entangled photon pairs and multichannel detection, we realize the acquisition of sub-shot-noise absorption spectra in the entire visible wavelength. Furthermore, we demonstrate the strength of sub-shot-noise absorption spectroscopy for the identification and quantification of chemical species, which are two primary aims of absorption spectroscopy. For highly diluted binary mixture solutions, sub-shot-noise absorption spectroscopy enables us to determine the concentration of each chemical species with precision beyond the limit of conventional absorption spectroscopy. That is, sub-shot-noise absorption spectroscopy achieves superresolution in concentration measurements.

Colloidal Metal-Halide Perovskite Nanoplatelets: Thickness-Controlled Synthesis, Properties, and Application in Light-Emitting Diodes.

Colloidal metal-halide perovskite nanocrystals (MHP NCs) are gaining significant attention for a wide range of optoelectronics applications owing to their exciting properties, such as defect tolerance, near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield, and tunable emission across the entire visible wavelength range. Although the optical properties of MHP NCs are easily tunable through their halide composition, they suffer from light-induced halide phase segregation that limits their use in devices. However, MHPs can be synthesized in the form of colloidal nanoplatelets (NPls) with monolayer (ML)-level thickness control, exhibiting strong quantum confinement effects, and thus enabling tunable emission across the entire visible wavelength range by controlling the thickness of bromide or iodide-based lead-halide perovskite NPls. In addition, the NPls exhibit narrow emission peaks, have high exciton binding energies, and a higher fraction of radiative recombination compared to their bulk counterparts, making them ideal candidates for applications in light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This review discusses the state-of-the-art in colloidal MHP NPls: synthetic routes, thickness-controlled synthesis of both organic-inorganic hybrid and all-inorganic MHP NPls, their linear and nonlinear optical properties (including charge-carrier dynamics), and their performance in LEDs. Furthermore, the challenges associated with their thickness-controlled synthesis, environmental and thermal stability, and their application in making efficient LEDs are discussed.

Broadband reflectors with a disordered layered structure: statistical properties of high performing configurations selected via genetic algorithm

Disordered multilayers consisting of alternating layers of two lossless dielectric materials with random thicknesses can behave as good reflectors in wide wavelength ranges except for narrow bands where the transmittance is significative. We use a dedicated genetic algorithm to select different configurations (thickness sequences) of such structures which exhibit very low transmittance in the entire visible wavelength range, showing that broadband disordered reflectors with very high performance can be designed. A statistical analysis of the thickness sequences selected by the genetic algorithm reveals that such sequences are characterized by correlated disorder and that the degree of autocorrelation is a key parameter in determining the reflection performance.

Photonic Particles Made by the Confined Self-Assembly of a Supramolecular Comb-Like Block Copolymer.

Approaches that enable the preparation of robust polymeric photonic particles are of interest for the development of nonfading and highly reflective pigments for applications such as paints and display technologies. Here, the preparation of photonic particles that display structural color in both, aqueous suspension and the dry solid state is reported. This is achieved by exploiting the confined self-assembly of a supramolecular comb-like block copolymer (BCP) that microphase separates into a well-ordered lamellar morphology with dimensions that promote a photonic bandgap in the visible range. The comb-like BCP is formed by robust ionic interactions between poly(styrene-b-4-vinyl-pyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) BCP and dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA), which selectively interacts with P4VP blocks. The components are combined in chloroform, and an aqueous emulsion is prepared. Evaporation of the organic solvent leads to the formation of solid microparticles with an onion-like 3D morphology. These photonic pigments display brilliant colors with reflectance spectra featuring pronounced optical bandgaps across the entire visible wavelength range with a peak reflectivity of 80-90%.

In vivo imaging of fluorescent single-walled carbon nanotubes within C.elegans nematodes in the near-infrared window.

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) nematodes serve as a model organism for eukaryotes, especially due to their genetic similarity. Although they have many advantages like their small size and transparency, their autofluorescence in the entire visible wavelength range poses a challenge for imaging and tracking fluorescent proteins or dyes using standard fluorescence microscopy. Herein, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are utilized for in vivo imaging within the gastrointestinal track of C. elegans. The SWCNTs are biocompatible, and do not affect the worms’ viability nor their reproduction ability. The worms do not show any autofluorescence in the NIR range, thus enabling the spectral separation between the SWCNT NIR fluorescence and the strong autofluorescence of the worm gut granules. The worms are fed with ssDNA-SWCNT which are visualized mainly in the intestine lumen. The NIR fluorescence is used in vivo to track the contraction and relaxation in the area of the pharyngeal valve at the anterior of the terminal bulb. These biocompatible, non-photobleaching, NIR fluorescent nanoparticles can advance in vivo imaging and tracking within C. elegans and other small model organisms by overcoming the signal-to-noise challenge stemming from the wide-range visible autofluorescence.

Piston-Type Optical Modulator for Dynamic Thermal Radiation Tuning Applications.

This study introduces a movable piston-like structure that provides a simple and cost-effective avenue for dynamically tuning thermal radiation. This structure leverages two materials with dissimilar optical responses—graphite and aluminum—to modulate from a state of high reflectance to a state of high absorptance. A cavity is created in the graphite to house an aluminum cylinder, which is displaced to actuate the device. In its raised state, the large aluminum surface area promotes a highly reflective response, while in its lowered state, the expanded graphite surface area and blackbody cavity-like interactions significantly enhance absorptance. By optimizing the area ratio, reflectance tunability of over 30% is achieved for nearly the entire ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelength regions. Furthermore, a theoretical analysis postulates wavelength-dependent effectivenesses as high as 0.70 for this method, indicating that tunabilities approaching 70% can be achieved by exploiting near-ideal absorbers and reflectors. The analog nature of this control method allows for an infinitely variable optical response between the upper and lower bounds of the device. These valuable characteristics would enable this material structure to serve practical applications, such as reducing cost and energy requirements for environmental temperature management operations.