Artificial Metaphotonics Born Naturally in Two Dimensions.

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optoelectronics
• Materials Science
• Metamaterials Research

Background:

• Metamaterials offer advanced photonic functionalities like negative refraction and cloaking.
• Layered two-dimensional (2D) materials possess unique tunable optical properties.
• The intersection of these fields explores novel material capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the natural emergence of metamaterial concepts within 2D materials.
• To highlight the potential of 2D materials for metaphotonic applications.
• To bridge the understanding between 2D materials and metamaterial functionalities.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on 2D materials and metamaterials.
• Analysis of optical properties of layered 2D materials.
• Exploration of fabrication techniques for 2D material-based devices.

Main Results:

• 2D materials inherently possess metaphotonic properties, including negative refraction and hyperbolic dispersion.
• Micro- and nanofabrication allow for high tunability of 2D material optical characteristics.
• Combining 2D materials with conventional metamaterials opens avenues for advanced optical devices.

Conclusions:

• 2D materials naturally embody metamaterial concepts, enabling novel metaphotonic devices.
• These devices offer multifunctionality, broad frequency operation (visible to terahertz), low loss, high speed, and miniaturization.
• This research area integrates photonics, optoelectronics, plasmonics, and metamaterials for future innovations.