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The Optical Janus Effect: Asymmetric Structural Color Reflection Materials
Author(s) -
England Grant T.,
Russell Calvin,
Shirman Elijah,
Kay Theresa,
Vogel Nicolas,
Aizenberg Joanna
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201606876
Subject(s) - materials science , structural coloration , janus , colored , fabrication , optoelectronics , characterization (materials science) , optics , absorption (acoustics) , photobleaching , reflection (computer programming) , nanotechnology , computer science , composite material , photonic crystal , fluorescence , medicine , alternative medicine , physics , pathology , programming language
Structurally colored materials are often used for their resistance to photobleaching and their complex viewing‐direction‐dependent optical properties. Frequently, absorption has been added to these types of materials in order to improve the color saturation by mitigating the effects of nonspecific scattering that is present in most samples due to imperfect manufacturing procedures. The combination of absorbing elements and structural coloration often yields emergent optical properties. Here, a new hybrid architecture is introduced that leads to an interesting, highly directional optical effect. By localizing absorption in a thin layer within a transparent, structurally colored multilayer material, an optical Janus effect is created, wherein the observed reflected color is different on one side of the sample than on the other. A systematic characterization of the optical properties of these structures as a function of their geometry and composition is performed. The experimental studies are coupled with a theoretical analysis that enables a precise, rational design of various optical Janus structures with highly controlled color, pattern, and fabrication approaches. These asymmetrically colored materials will open applications in art, architecture, semitransparent solar cells, and security features in anticounterfeiting materials.