Angle-Resolved Polarimetry in Plasmonic Metamaterials via Charged Aerosol-Based Additive Manufacturing

The integration of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and quasi-bound states in the continuum (q-BIC) within a single plasmonic structure offers a promising avenue for advanced optical applications. In this study, we present a novel approach to fabricating three-dimensional (3D) plasmonic metamaterials that exhibit dual optical resonances using a π-shaped plasmonic structure. Our 3D plasmonic metamaterials are characterized by their ability to support both LSPR and q-BIC modes within the near-infrared (NIR) region. The dual optical modes are distinctly responsive to different polarizations of incident light: x-polarization-sensitive LSPR and transverse magnetic (TM) mode-sensitive q-BIC. This unique optical behavior enables simultaneous polarization detection and incident angle analysis, which we demonstrate by measuring our π-shaped structures using a commercial Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) system. The experimental results confirm the high performance of our 3D plasmonic metamaterials in polarization and incident angle sensing. The LSPR mode is observed under x-polarized light, while the q-BIC mode is prominent under TM-mode illumination. These optical modes are highly sensitive to the angle of incident light and polarization, making them suitable for applications in optical alignment and imaging systems.<br/>In terms of a manufacturing process, the π-shaped plasmonic structures are produced through a charged aerosol-based additive manufacturing technique that manipulates local electrostatic fields to control the deposition of charged metallic nanoaerosols. This technique allows for the direct printing of metallic nanostructures under ambient conditions without the need for postprocessing, such as metal coating steps, thereby preserving the functionality of the complex 3D geometries.<br/>The successful fabrication and characterization of these π-shaped plasmonic structures highlight the potential of 3D aerosol nanoprinting in advancing the field of plasmonic metamaterials. This technique opens new possibilities for creating multifunctional materials with tailored optical properties, suitable for applications ranging from biosensing and imaging to advanced photonic devices. Our study demonstrates a significant step forward in the field of additive manufacturing, providing a versatile and efficient method for producing complex 3D plasmonic structures with enhanced optical functionalities.