Phonon-mediated infrared plasmonic metamaterial emitters towards high-capacity multifunctional encoding and display

This study introduces what we believe is a novel approach to manipulating light in the mid-infrared spectrum through phonon-mediated metal-insulator-metal (MIM) cavities. Leveraging the unique interactions between resonantly excited electric and magnetic dipoles and phonons within silicon dioxide spacers, we have developed a technology different from traditional methods that rely on geometric modifications of nanostructures, offering a more versatile and effective means of tailoring light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. Our experimental results showcase the ability of these MIM cavities to perform multifunctional information encoding, display, and concealment with high precision. Notably, we encoded 13 distinct gray levels, surpassing previous capabilities in the long-wave infrared spectrum using metamaterial emitters. Furthermore, the incorporation of rotating nanorod structures enabled the encoding of grayscale patterns through polarization states, enhancing the potential for high-capacity information storage. The study also demonstrates the capability of these structures for subwavelength-resolution printing and near-diffraction-limit information encoding in the long-wave infrared band. We have successfully employed an innovative ink coating method, transparent in the long-wave infrared but opaque in the visible spectrum, to conceal encoded information, thereby adding a layer of security. In summary, the phonon-mediated infrared plasmonic metamaterial emitters presented in this work pave the way for future research in high-capacity information storage, anti-counterfeiting, and security technologies.