Mechanically-Durable Antireflective Subwavelength Nanoholes on Glass Surfaces Using Lithography-Free Fabrication

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Traditional multilayer antireflection (AR) surfaces are crucial for optics but often require complex fabrication.
• Biomimetic AR surfaces offer broadband, omnidirectional transparency and self-cleaning properties for applications like displays and solar devices.
• Current fabrication methods for advanced AR surfaces often involve sophisticated, multi-step lithography.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and implement mechanically robust AR surfaces using a lithography-free process.
• To achieve high transmittance and improved angular response in AR surfaces.
• To demonstrate the viability of these surfaces for demanding applications such as touchscreen displays.

Main Methods:

• Utilized thermally dewetted silver as an etching mask for a lithography-free fabrication process.
• Created both-sided nanohole (NH) surfaces.
• Evaluated mechanical resilience through repeated abrasion tests.

Main Results:

• Achieved transmittance above 99% in visible and near-infrared ranges.
• Demonstrated improved angular response up to an angle of incidence of 60°.
• NH surfaces exhibited excellent mechanical resilience against abrasion, indicating durability.

Conclusions:

• The lithography-free fabrication of NH surfaces provides a viable alternative to traditional AR methods.
• These robust AR surfaces offer high performance and durability suitable for touchscreen displays and other optical applications.