Preparation of Flexible Wavelength-Selective Metasurface for Infrared Radiation Regulation

Perpetual advancements in modern detection techniques have augmented the requirement of infrared camouflage; however, its development is impeded by multiband compatible regulation and curved application targets. Here, a flexible wavelength-selective metasurface based on two metal-dielectric-metal resonators is experimentally demonstrated for infrared radiation regulation with thermal management utilizing magnetic polariton. Low emissivity in atmosphere windows (infrared stealth) and high emissivity in the wavelength of 5-8 μm nonatmospheric window (radiative cooling) are simultaneously achieved. In comparison with conventional hard substrates, it is for the first time the composite wavelength-length metasurface is successfully prepared directly on a flexible polyimide film via applying polyimide double-sided tapes and S1805/LOR5A bilayer stack lift-off technology. Not only does this method successfully overcome the debonding problem of photoresist on the flexible substrate, but it also solves the bulging problem of the substrate as well as the limitation of high temperature. Besides, the temperature and infrared radiation distributions of flexible wavelength-selective metasurfaces with different curvatures are first investigated. The compared results reveal that the metasurface with larger curvature has a better infrared camouflage performance. Furthermore, the cycle stability of the flexible metasurface is tested, and the results show that the infrared radiation regulation is stable after 30 cycles with essentially no change. This study provides a guideline for preparing flexible composite metasurfaces and avoids the trouble of replacing the metal/dielectric material of the initial structure with a flexible material to improve the structure for application to curved surfaces, thus broadening implications in enhancing the effective bonding of metasurfaces to target surfaces.