Thin-Film Metamaterials called Sculptured Thin Films

TL;DR

This paper discusses sculptured thin films (STFs), a type of metamaterial composed of nanowires with tunable optical properties, fabricated via physical vapor deposition, with applications across multiple fields.

Contribution

It introduces the morphology and fabrication process of STFs, highlighting their customizable optical properties and diverse application potential.

Findings

STFs can be fabricated from various materials.

The morphology of STFs is controlled by substrate motion.

Prototype devices have been developed for multiple applications.

Abstract

Morphology and performance are conjointed attributes of metamaterials, of which sculptured thin films (STFs) are examples. STFs are assemblies of nanowires that can be fabricated from many different materials, typically via physical vapor deposition onto rotating substrates. The curvilinear--nanowire morphology of STFs is determined by the substrate motions during fabrication. The optical properties, especially, can be tailored by varying the morphology of STFs. In many cases prototype devices have been fabricated for various optical, thermal, chemical, and biological applications.