Color tuning based on micro-nano structure and metal nanolayer

Abstract

This article reports a novel color tuning technology based on micro-nano structure and metal nanolayer. On the basis of theoretical analysis, a color tuning model is established. Aluminum(Al) metal nanolayers are magnetron-sputtered on the surfaces of porour alumina (PA) templates with the pore-depths of 250 nm and 410 nm, and their pictures and reflective interference spectra show clearly green and red colors, respectively. These results indicate that different colors can be achieved just by controlling the pore-depth in PA templates. As comparison, a nanolayer of chromium(Cr) metal is magnetron-sputtered on the surface of PA template about 410 nm in pore-depth, the reflective interference spectra show that color tuning can also be achieved in the visible spectrum by changing the material and the thickness of the metal nanolayer. Moreover, a color pattern is further prepared based on mask and local sputtering method. Theoretical and experimental results validate the feasibility of this color tuning method.