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Ultrablack surface with omnidirectional high absorption
Optics Letters
|September 13, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed a scalable ultrablack surface using laser-fabricated molds and black paint. This structural black paint (SBP) offers excellent broadband absorption for solar-thermal systems and optical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Black surfaces are crucial for solar-thermal energy conversion and space optics.
- Achieving scalable, omnidirectional, and highly absorptive ultrablack surfaces is a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a scalable ultrablack surface with high broadband absorption.
- To demonstrate enhanced solar-thermal performance compared to existing materials.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a high aspect ratio microstructure mold using femtosecond laser.
- Transferring the microstructure mold onto a black paint coating to create structural black paint (SBP).
Main Results:
- The SBP demonstrated extremely low hemispheric reflectance (<1.2%) across the solar spectrum at normal incidence.
- The SBP maintained good anti-reflection properties even at an 80° incident angle (<9%).
- Enhanced solar-thermal performance was observed compared to commercial black paints.
Conclusions:
- The developed SBP offers a promising approach for scalable and cost-effective manufacturing of ultrablack surfaces.
- Potential applications include improving solar-thermal conversion efficiency and suppressing stray light in space optical systems.
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