Multi-Direction-Tunable Three-Dimensional Meta-Atoms for Reversible Switching between Midwave and Long-Wave Infrared Regimes

Abstract

We introduce an electromechanically tunable metasurface composed of an array of three-dimensional nanosplit-rings for reversible and large-range changes of optical characteristics in infrared (IR) regime. When a current is induced or withdrawn, each nanosplit ring in the surface can deform in multi directions and consequently become a closed (OFF) or an open (ON) state. Theoretical and experimental results manifest that, as the metasurface is dynamically manipulated between the ON and OFF states, the corresponding resonance absorption will reversibly switch between the long wave (around 10.4 μm) and midwave (around 6.3 μm) IR regimes, two key IR spectral windows, and the reversible relative reflection changes can reach up to 95%.