Angle-resolved reflectance and surface plasmonics of the MAX phases

TL;DR

This paper theoretically explores the optical properties and surface plasmon modes of MAX phase materials, highlighting their anisotropic behavior and unique reflection phenomena compared to conventional metals.

Contribution

It provides a detailed theoretical analysis of the optical response and surface plasmon behavior of MAX phases, emphasizing their anisotropic properties and potential for novel optical effects.

Findings

Unusual reflection and transmission spectra as a function of incidence angle.

Prediction of inverse total internal reflection in MAX phases.

Distinct surface plasmon modes compared to conventional metals.

Abstract

We investigate theoretically the optical response of bulk samples and thin films of the MAX phases materials, accounting for their large electrical anisotropy. We reveal the unusual behaviour of the reflection and transmittion spectra as a function of the incidence angle and predict the effect of the inverse total internal reflection. We also investigate the behaviour of the surface plasmon modes in bulk samples and thin films and analyse the difference between MAX materials and conventional metals.