
Cross‐Wavelength Hierarchical Metamaterials Enabled for Trans‐Scale Molecules Detection Simultaneously
Author(s) -
Wang Yingli,
Dai Benhui,
Ma Chan,
Zhang Qi,
Huang Kang,
Luo Xuan,
Liu Xiangjiang,
Ying Yibin,
Xie Lijuan
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202105447
Subject(s) - metamaterial , scale (ratio) , wavelength , nanoscopic scale , materials science , nanotechnology , molecule , optoelectronics , physics , quantum mechanics
Metamaterials have attracted increasing attention in sensing applications. However, the critical feature sizes of meta‐atom span several orders of magnitude in length scale, almost all the metamaterials are designed to operate at limited bands. It is challenging for a single type of meta‐atom with ultra‐broadband adaptability. Inspired by the natural hierarchical architectures, herein, the authors introduce a new constructing scheme of cross‐wavelength hierarchical metamaterials with a single type of meta‐atom that can realize enhancement of terahertz (THz) resonance and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) at the same time. By combining multiple subwavelength structures at different hierarchical levels into a single meta‐atom, the obtained metamaterial can operate in two frequencies and realize multiple functionalities. Armed with this hierarchical metamaterial, detecting analytes as small as sub‐nanoscale chemical molecules or as big as microscale biomolecules simultaneously can be realized in one single metamaterial for the first time. As a proof‐of‐concept example, a smart sensory packaging is developed, which allowed them to real‐time monitor the kinetic growth of pathogenic bacteria and their metabolites in food without opening the packaging. They believe that their work will provide a valuable example that satisfies the unmet need for multiscale functional meta‐devices.