This textbook bridges the gap between university courses on electrodynamics and the knowledge needed to successfully address the problem of electrodynamics of metamaterials. It appeals to both experimentalists and theoreticians who are interested in the physical basics of metamaterials and plasmonics. Focusing on qualitative fundamental treatment as opposed to quantitative numerical treatment, it covers the phenomena of artificial magnetization at high frequencies, and discusses homogenization procedures and the basics of quantum dynamics in detail. By considering different phenomena it creates a self-consistent qualitative picture to explain most observable phenomena. This allows readers to develop a better understanding of the concepts, and helps to create a conceptual approach, which is especially important in educational contexts. This clearly written book includes problems and solutions for each chapter, which can be used for seminars and homework, as well as qualitative models that are helpful to students.

This book discusses bulk solids that derive their mechanical properties not from those of their base materials, but from their designed microstructures. Focusing on the negative mechanical properties, it addresses topics that reveal the counter-intuitive nature of solids, specifically the negativity of properties that are commonly positive, such as negative bulk modulus, negative compressibility, negative hygroexpansion, negative thermal expansion, negative stiffness phase, and negative Poisson’s ratio. These topics are significant not only due to the curiosity they have sparked, but also because of the possibility of designing materials and structures that can behave in ways that are not normally expected in conventional solids, and as such, of materials that can outperform solids and structures made from conventional materials. The book includes illustrations to facilitate learning, and, where appropriate, reference tables. The presentation is didactic, starting with simple cases, followed by increasingly complex ones. It provides a solid foundation for graduate students, and a valuable resource for practicing materials engineers seeking to develop novel materials through the judicious design of microstructures and their corresponding mechanisms.

This thesis explores the fabrication of gyroid-forming block copolymer templates and the optical properties of the resulting gyroid optical metamaterials, significantly contributing to our understanding of both. It demonstrates solvent vapour annealing to improve the long-range order of the templates, and investigates the unique crystallisation behaviour of their semicrystalline block. Furthermore, it shows that gyroid optical metamaterials that exhibit only short-range order are optically equivalent to nanoporous gold, and that the anomalous linear dichroism of gyroid optical metamaterials with long-range order is the result of the surface termination of the bulk gyroid morphology. Optical metamaterials are artificially engineered materials that, by virtue of their structure rather than their chemistry, may exhibit various optical properties not otherwise encountered in nature (e.g. a negative refractive index). However, these structures must be significantly smaller than the wavelength of visible light and are therefore challenging to fabricate using traditional “top down” techniques. Instead, a “bottom up” approach can be used, whereby optical metamaterials are fabricated via templates created by the self-assembly of block-copolymers. One such morphology is the gyroid, a chiral, continuous and triply periodic cubic network found in a range of natural and synthetic self-assembled systems.

This book highlights the fundamentals and practical methods of metamaterials-based optical and radio frequency sensing. Combined with engineering practices, the book illustrates in detail wide frequency electromagnetic signal cloaking and the detection behavior of metasurfaces, including the structure of metasurfaces, electric-controlled behaviors, layout design and fabrication methods, and related experiment results. This book is expected to inspire the research and development of new optical and radio frequency detectors. It is suitable for researchers and engineers working on semiconductor devices, applied optics, and wide frequency signal detection. It is also a good reference for students in these areas.

This book uses the first volume’s exploration of theory, basic properties, and modeling topics to develop readers’ understanding of applications and devices that are based on artificial materials. It explores a wide range of applications in fields including electronics, telecommunications, sensing, medical instrumentation, and data storage. The text also includes a practical user’s guide and explores key areas in which artificial materials have developed. It includes experts’ perspectives on current and future applications of metamaterials, to present a well-rounded view on state-of-the-art technologies.

The study of dark matter, in both astrophysics and particle physics, has emerged as one of the most active and exciting topics of research in recent years. This book reviews the history behind the discovery of missing mass (or unseen mass) in the Universe, and ties this into the proposed extensions to the Standard Model of Particle Physics (such as Supersymmetry), which were being proposed within the same time frame. This book is written as an introduction to these problems at the forefront of astrophysics and particle physics, with the goal of conveying the physics of dark matter to beginning undergraduate majors in scientific fields. The book goes onto describe existing and upcoming experiments and techniques, which will be used to detect dark matter either directly on indirectly.

Optical Thin Films and Coatings: From Materials to Applications, Second Edition, provides an overview of thin film materials and their properties, design and manufacture across a wide variety of application areas. Sections explore their design and manufacture and their unconventional features, including the scattering properties of random structures in thin films, optical properties at short wavelengths, thermal properties and color effects. Other chapters focus on novel materials, including organic optical coatings, surface multiplasmonics, optical thin films containing quantum dots, and optical coatings, including laser components, solar cells, displays and lighting, and architectural and automotive glass. The book presents a technical resource for researchers and engineers working with optical thin films and coatings. It is also ideal for professionals in the security, automotive, space and other industries who need an understanding of the topic. - Provides thorough review of applications of optical coatings including laser components, solar cells, glazing, displays and lighting - One-stop reference that addresses deposition techniques, properties, and applications of optical thin films and coatings - Novel methods, suggestions for analysis, and applications makes this a valuable resource for experts in the field as well