Klaus Bade

Gold Helix Photonic Metamaterial as Broadband Circular Polarizer

Corkscrew Polarizer Strong optical activity, measured in terms of a materials ability to polarize light, usually requires a material several hundred wavelengths thick. Gansel et al. (p. 1513, published online 20 August; see the cover) show that the tunable electromagnetic response of metamaterials may offer a route to reduce the amount of material required for strongly optically active materials. Based on the standard metamaterials design of the splitring resonator, photolithography was used to define an array of three-dimensional gold nanocorkscrews. Just a single wavelength thickness of the corkscrew design was required for a circular polarizer operating over an octave of bandwidth. A three-dimensional array of gold nano-helices can polarize light over a wide range of wavelengths. We investigated propagation of light through a uniaxial photonic metamaterial composed of three-dimensional gold helices arranged on a two-dimensional square lattice. These nanostructures are fabricated via an approach based on direct laser writing into a positive-tone photoresist followed by electrochemical deposition of gold. For propagation of light along the helix axis, the structure blocks the circular polarization with the same handedness as the helices, whereas it transmits the other, for a frequency range exceeding one octave. The structure is scalable to other frequency ranges and can be used as a compact broadband circular polarizer.

A combined microtensile testing and nanoindentation study of the mechanical behavior of nanocrystalline LIGA Ni–Fe

Abstract In this work, we studied nanocrystalline LIGA Ni-2.6 at.% Fe and Ni-5.6 at.% Fe with an average grain size of 10 nm. Microtensile samples were produced by the LIGA process including direct current electrodeposition. Microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated in the as-deposited state as well as after annealing at different temperatures. Results from tensile testing were compared to nanoindentation experiments with a particular emphasis on the strain rate sensitivity of the alloys. The Ni – Fe alloys were confirmed to be suitable LIGA materials for applications that require high hardness combined with microstructural stability and low internal stresses. For both alloys with 10 nm grain size, tensile yield strength and corresponding hardness values of the order of 2 GPa and 6 GPa, respectively, were found. After annealing at moderate temperatures (200 °C), strength and hardness increased although some grain growth was observed.

Lotus-on-chip: computer-aided design and 3D direct laser writing of bioinspired surfaces for controlling the wettability of materials and devices

In this study we present the combination of a math-based design strategy with direct laser writing as high-precision technology for promoting solid free-form fabrication of multi-scale biomimetic surfaces. Results show a remarkable control of surface topography and wettability properties. Different examples of surfaces inspired on the lotus leaf, which to our knowledge are obtained for the first time following a computer-aided design with this degree of precision, are presented. Design and manufacturing strategies towards microfluidic systems whose fluid driving capabilities are obtained just by promoting a design-controlled wettability of their surfaces, are also discussed and illustrated by means of conceptual proofs. According to our experience, the synergies between the presented computer-aided design strategy and the capabilities of direct laser writing, supported by innovative writing strategies to promote final size while maintaining high precision, constitute a relevant step forward towards materials and devices with design-controlled multi-scale and micro-structured surfaces for advanced functionalities. To our knowledge, the surface geometry of the lotus leaf, which has relevant industrial applications thanks to its hydrophobic and self-cleaning behavior, has not yet been adequately modeled and manufactured in an additive way with the degree of precision that we present here.

Polarizing properties of three-dimensional helical metamaterials

We investigate the polarizing properties of chiral photonic metamaterials composed of three-dimensional metal helices. The calculated spectra reveal pronounced circular dichroism. Our geometry parameters are compatible with fabrication via direct laser writing and electrodeposition.