Dynamic Multi Color Switching using Ultrathin Vanadium Oxide on Aluminium based Asymmetric Fabry-Perot Resonant Structure

Abstract

Vanadium dioxide ($VO_{2}$) exhibits strong infrared optical switching due to its insulator-metal phase-transition property. However, in the visible wavelengths, it's intrinsic optical switching is quite low. Current research explores solutions like multilayering, intricate structural patterning, high thermal budget processes and costly metals for improved color switching. Nonetheless, the color gamut coverage with these methodologies remains notably limited. This work overcomes these limitations and demonstrates dynamic multi-colour switching covering a large color gamut using a simple, unpatterned, ultrathin ($\sim$ $\frac{\lambda}{14}$, where wavelength $\lambda$ is taken as 575 nm at the center of visible spectrum) asymmetric Fabry-P\'{e}rot structure of $VO_{2}$ on Aluminium (Al). We use the transfer matrix method to design the $VO_{2}/Aluminium\,(Al)/Sapphire$ structure for maximum visible reflectance switching. $VO_{2}$ films are synthesized using a simple, low thermal budget atmospheric oxidation of Vanadium (V). With varying oxidation durations, different colors of the oxidized samples are observed. Consistent and reversible color-switching is observed visibly and in reflectance measurements with the change in temperature from low (RT $\sim$ 30$^{\circ}$C) to high (HT $\sim$ 100$^{\circ}$C) or vice versa due to the phase transition property of the $VO_{2}$ layer in the structure. Compared to the existing studies, this work shows a significant change in chromaticities and covers a large color gamut when plotted on the CIE chromaticity diagram. This work has potential applications in the fields of display, thermochromic structures, and visible camouflage.