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Direct printing of metasurfaces using formulated optical materials
Hyunjung Kang1, Eunji Lee2, Yujin Park1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea.
Nature Protocols
|August 11, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a printable, high-index material (nanoPER) for fabricating optical metasurfaces. This breakthrough enables cost-effective, large-scale production of advanced optical devices on various substrates, including flexible ones.
Area of Science:
- Nanophotonics and Metamaterials
- Materials Science and Engineering
Background:
- Optical metasurfaces offer potential for compact, multifunctional optical devices.
- Current fabrication methods face challenges with high-index materials, complex processes, and substrate limitations, hindering practical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel, printable high-index composite material (nanoPER) for efficient optical metasurface fabrication.
- To provide a comprehensive protocol for fabricating metasurfaces using TiO2 nanoPER via nanoimprint lithography.
Main Methods:
- Development of nanoparticle-embedded resin (nanoPER) with a refractive index >1.8.
- Utilizing nanoimprint lithography for single-step replication of nanostructures.
- Characterization of resin formulation, process parameters, and optical properties.
Main Results:
- Achieved a high effective refractive index (>1.8) using printable nanoPER.
- Demonstrated single-step fabrication of functional nanostructures on diverse substrates, including flexible and curved surfaces.
- Established a reproducible protocol for TiO2 nanoPER metasurface fabrication.
Conclusions:
- NanoPER offers a scalable and versatile solution for advanced optical metasurface fabrication.
- The developed protocol facilitates the translation of metasurface research into practical applications like LiDAR, compact imaging, and integrated photonics.
- The process is efficient, completable within 1-2 days, and accessible to researchers with nanofabrication experience.
