Self‐Assembled Ag–TiN Hybrid Plasmonic Metamaterial: Tailorable Tilted Nanopillar and Optical Properties

Abstract

Key challenges limiting the adoption of metallic plasmonic nanostructures for practical devices include structural stability and the ease of large scale fabrication. Overcoming these issues may require novel metamaterial fabrication with potentials for improved durability under extreme conditions. In this work, we report a self-assembled growth of a hybrid plasmonic metamaterial in thin-film form, with epitaxial Ag nanopillars embedded in TiN, a mechanically strong and chemically inert matrix. One of the key achievements lies in the successful control of the tilt angle of the Ag nanopillars (from 0° to 50°), which is attributed to the interplay between the growth kinetics and thermodynamics during deposition. Such an anisotropic nature offered by the tilted Ag nanopillars in TiN matrix is crucial for achieving broadband, asymmetric optical selectivity. Optical spectra coupled with numerical simulations demonstrate strong plasmonic resonance, as well as angular selectivity in a broad UV-visible to near-infrared regime. The nanostructured metamaterials in this work, which consist of highly-conductive metallic nanopillars in a durable nitride matrix, have the potential to serve as a novel hybrid material platform for highly-tailorable nanoscale metamaterial designs, suitable for high temperature optical applications.

Nitride‐Oxide‐Metal Heterostructure with Self‐Assembled Core–Shell Nanopillar Arrays: Effect of Ordering on Magneto‐Optical Properties

“…TiN is selected as the matrix phase due to its high durability, easy integration with metals, and low‐loss plasmonic property. [ 43,44 ] Here, nanoscale NiO exhibits weak FM property as reported by prior studies. [ 45–47 ] Au exhibits good plasmonic properties and catalytic properties facilitating the nanowire growth.…”

Hybrid plasmonic Au–TiN vertically aligned nanocomposites: a nanoscale platform towards tunable optical sensing

“…Au and Ag), but more mechanically and thermally stable. [23][24][25][26][27] Indeed, the current research direction is driven to metamaterial design, coupling plasmonic nanoresonators with different components, either plasmonic or dielectric. 2,28,29 For example, the optical losses can be compensated by dielectric gain media for low-loss plasmonics; meanwhile, enhanced plasmonic sensitivity (Fano-resonances) was reached at a specic frequency.…”

Large‐Scale Plasmonic Hybrid Framework with Built‐In Nanohole Array as Multifunctional Optical Sensing Platforms

“…Detailed explorations on growth mechanism and morphological control of two‐phase metal‐nitride nanocomposites are explained in refs. 35,36. Next, plan‐view STEM images and corresponding EDX maps (Figure S3a,b, Supporting Information) from Au–TiN VAN confirm the well‐distributed Au nanopillar assembly.…”