Cross‐Wavelength Hierarchical Metamaterials Enabled for Trans‐Scale Molecules Detection Simultaneously. Issue 13 (8th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Yingli; Dai, Benhui; Ma, Chan; Zhang, Qi; Huang, Kang; Luo, Xuan; Liu, Xiangjiang; Ying, Yibin; Xie, Lijuan
• Is Part Of: Advanced science. Volume 9:Issue 13(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-03-08
• Subjects: metamaterials -- molecular -- SERS -- smart sensory packaging -- THz; Science -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1002/advs.202105447
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2198-3844

Abstract

Abstract: Metamaterials have attracted increasing attention in sensing applications. However, the critical feature sizes of meta‐atom span several orders of magnitude in length scale, almost all the metamaterials are designed to operate at limited bands. It is challenging for a single type of meta‐atom with ultra‐broadband adaptability. Inspired by the natural hierarchical architectures, herein, the authors introduce a new constructing scheme of cross‐wavelength hierarchical metamaterials with a single type of meta‐atom that can realize enhancement of terahertz (THz) resonance and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) at the same time. By combining multiple subwavelength structures at different hierarchical levels into a single meta‐atom, the obtained metamaterial can operate in two frequencies and realize multiple functionalities. Armed with this hierarchical metamaterial, detecting analytes as small as sub‐nanoscale chemical molecules or as big as microscale biomolecules simultaneously can be realized in one single metamaterial for the first time. As a proof‐of‐concept example, a smart sensory packaging is developed, which allowed them to real‐time monitor the kinetic growth of pathogenic bacteria and their metabolites in food without opening the packaging. They believe that their work will provide a valuable example that satisfies the unmet need for multiscale functional meta‐devices. Abstract : A new constructing scheme of cross‐wavelength hierarchical metamaterial is presented. It consists of small structure (periodic AgNCs for localized SPR excitation at visible wavelengths) for large structure composition (periodically microstructures exhibiting resonance features at THz region), enabling simultaneous detection of large and small analytes. A smart sensory packaging is developed to demonstrate the applicability for in‐situ monitoring of analytes.