Electrically programmable pixelated coherent mid-infrared thermal emission

Abstract

Active metasurfaces have recently emerged as compact, lightweight, and efficient platforms for dynamic control of electromagnetic fields and optical responses. However, the complexities associated with their post-fabrication tunability significantly hinder their widespread applications, especially for the mid-infrared range due to material scarcity and design intricacy. Here, we experimentally demonstrate highly dynamic, pixelated modulations of coherent mid-infrared emission based on an electrically programmable plasmonic metasurface integrated with graphene field-effect transistors (Gr-FETs). The ultrabroad infrared transparency of graphene allows for customized control over plasmonic meta-atoms, thus achieving coherent mid-infrared states across a broad range of wavelengths, directions, and polarizations. The spatial temperature modulation generated by Gr-FETs is effectively synergized with the emissivity control by the localized surface plasmon polaritons and quasi-bound states in the continuum from gold nanoantennas. This integrated temperature-emissivity modulation of metasurfaces is systematically extended to form a pixelated 2D array with low crosstalk, envisioning advanced approaches toward scalable 2D electrical wiring for densely packed, independently addressable pixels. The realization of active metasurfaces operating in the infrared range remains challenging due to design complexities and scarcity of suitable materials. Here, the authors report the realization of electrically programmable plasmonic metasurfaces integrated with graphene transistors, enabling pixelated thermal emission with low cross-talk and enhanced coherence.