Repository logo
 

Topological invariance in whiteness optimisation

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Change log

Authors

Jacucci, G 
Parton, TG 

Abstract

Maximizing the scattering of visible light within disordered nano-structured materials is essential for commercial applications such as brighteners, while also testing our fundamental understanding of light-matter interactions. The progress in the research field has been hindered by the lack of understanding on how different structural features contribute to the scattering properties. Here we undertake a systematic investigation of light scattering in correlated disordered structures. We demonstrate that the scattering efficiency of disordered systems is mainly determined by topologically invariant features, such as the filling fraction and correlation length, and residual variations are largely accounted by the surface-averaged mean curvature of the systems. Optimal scattering efficiency can thus be obtained from a broad range of disordered structures, especially when structural anisotropy is included as a parameter. These results suggest that any disordered system can be optimised for whiteness and give comparable performance, which has far-reaching consequences for the industrial use of low-index materials for optical scattering.

Description

Keywords

physics.optics, physics.optics

Journal Title

Communications Physics

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2399-3650
2399-3650

Volume Title

Publisher

Nature Portfolio
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/L015978/1)
European Research Council (639088)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/P020259/1)
European Commission Horizon 2020 (H2020) Marie Sk?odowska-Curie actions (893136)
EPSRC (EP/T517847/1)
Relationships
Is supplemented by:
Is previous version of: