Visible light compatible infrared stealth capability based on phase change materials

This study utilizes thermochromic phase change materials VO₂ and GST to design micro-nano structures with temperature-tunable thermal emission characteristics, further controlling their stealth effects in both visible light and infrared backgrounds. Initially, an infrared stealth structure based on GST is proposed. By exploring its crystalline (cGST) and amorphous (aGST) states, the optimal thickness of GST is determined to be 250 nm. The structures corresponding to aGST and cGST exhibit emissions of 0.24 and 0.24, respectively, in the atmospheric window of 3-5 μm and 0.03 and 0.15 at 8-14 μm. These low emission capabilities aid in achieving infrared stealth. In the non-atmospheric window of 5-8 μm, the emissions are 0.06 and 0.76, which can help reduce heat loss at low temperatures and radiate energy at high temperatures, thus optimizing the stealth effect. Subsequently, a ZnS layer is added on top to regulate the structural color. By scanning the thickness of ZnS in different states of GST, we investigate the chromaticity coordinates of the structure in amorphous, crystalline, and mixed states with varying crystal proportions. From the perspective of infrared emissivity, the feasibility of visible light stealth is studied. A ZnS layer thickness of 150 nm is selected as the optimal parameter, determining the infrared emissivity for both states. The structures corresponding to aGST and cGST exhibit emissions of 0.17 and 0.22 in the atmospheric window of 3-5 μm and 0.03 and 0.20 at 8-14 μm. The low emission capabilities help achieve infrared stealth, while the emissions within the non-atmospheric window of 5-8 μm are 0.10 and 0.77. The reasons for resonance absorption are explained by calculating the normalized electric field and energy dissipation intensity. Finally, a VO₂ layer is added. Due to the reversible nature of the VO₂ phase change, two phase change materials at different temperatures result in four states. The thickness of the VO₂ layer is varied to explore the infrared emissivity in different states. This study primarily focuses on designing dynamically tunable micro-nano structures by combining phase change materials, achieving precise control over reflection and emission characteristics in both visible light and infrared bands, thus providing more possibilities for stealth technology.