Presentation Information
[9a-A22-5]Robust Broadband Infrared Unidirectional Absorption Enabled by a Non-Hermitian Multilayer
〇Ayaha Yamamoto1, Wakana Kubo1 (1.TUAT)
Keywords:
Non-Hermitian physics,Unidirectionality,Infrared region
Controlling the direction of light and heat is a powerful capability, yet achieving this across a broadband infrared spectrum has long remained experimentally elusive. This study breaks new ground by demonstrating a non-Hermitian multilayer structure that achieves robust, broadband unidirectional infrared absorption, opening new doors for passive thermal management.
By combining low- and high-loss materials with engineered thicknesses optimized via the transfer-matrix formulation, the structure achieves nearly perfect absorption under forward illumination, spectrally matching blackbody radiation at 373 K. Conversely, backward absorption is suppressed below 30%.
Spectral analysis reveals that this unidirectionality originates near an exceptional point. Crucially, broadband unidirectionality persists even without strict exceptional-point conditions. Driven by the combined effects of loss distribution and optical interference rather than a singular condition, the system remains highly resilient to film thickness variations.
In thermal shielding experiments, switching between forward and backward configurations yielded a temperature difference of up to 21°C. This proves its potential for next-generation energy-saving technologies, such as thermal smart windows and infrared heat-shielding devices.
In conclusion, this research establishes a robust strategy for the directional control of infrared radiation. By bridging non-Hermitian physics with practical optical engineering, it paves the way for advanced, power-free passive thermal management systems.
By combining low- and high-loss materials with engineered thicknesses optimized via the transfer-matrix formulation, the structure achieves nearly perfect absorption under forward illumination, spectrally matching blackbody radiation at 373 K. Conversely, backward absorption is suppressed below 30%.
Spectral analysis reveals that this unidirectionality originates near an exceptional point. Crucially, broadband unidirectionality persists even without strict exceptional-point conditions. Driven by the combined effects of loss distribution and optical interference rather than a singular condition, the system remains highly resilient to film thickness variations.
In thermal shielding experiments, switching between forward and backward configurations yielded a temperature difference of up to 21°C. This proves its potential for next-generation energy-saving technologies, such as thermal smart windows and infrared heat-shielding devices.
In conclusion, this research establishes a robust strategy for the directional control of infrared radiation. By bridging non-Hermitian physics with practical optical engineering, it paves the way for advanced, power-free passive thermal management systems.