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Two-dimensional talc as a natural abundant ultra-broadband hyperbolic material

Journal Article · · Nanoscale
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/d5nr02966j· OSTI ID:2997744
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [4];  [5];  [6];  [7];  [5];  [8];  [9];  [5];  [5];  [10];  [11];  [2];  [2]
  1. Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP (Brazil). Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS); Technische Universität Dresden (Germany)
  2. Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP (Brazil). Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS)
  3. University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (China)
  4. Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP (Brazil). Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS); University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Sao Paulo (Brazil)
  5. Technische Universität Dresden (Germany)
  6. Technische Universität Dresden (Germany); Tanta University (Egypt)
  7. Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II)
  8. State University of Santa Cruz, Iheus (Brazil)
  9. Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) (Germany)
  10. Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP (Brazil); Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá (Brazil)
  11. University of the Basque Country, Donostia (Spain); Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao (Spain). IKERBASQUE

Here, we demonstrate that two-dimensional talc, a naturally abundant phyllosilicate mineral, supports hyperbolic phonon-polaritons (HPhPs) across the mid- and far-infrared wavelengths. Using scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) and synchrotron infrared nano-spectroscopy (SINS), we reveal tunable HPhP modes in talc flakes with long lifetimes, high confinement, and quality factors of up to 5. We further observe Fabry–Pérot cavity modes in tapered flakes, confirmed by simulations and analytical modeling. Compared to synthetic crystals, talc offers an ultra-broadband, low-cost, and sustainable platform for infrared nanophotonics and optoelectronics.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0012704
OSTI ID:
2997744
Report Number(s):
BNL--229020-2025-JAAM
Journal Information:
Nanoscale, Journal Name: Nanoscale Journal Issue: 41 Vol. 17; ISSN 2040-3364; ISSN 2040-3372
Publisher:
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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