Numerical Investigation of the Optimal Structure for Dynamic Plasmonic Colors Generated via Photothermal Deformation of Metal Semi-Shell Structures

Nanostructure-based coloration has been investigated extensively to overcome the limitations of conventional pigments and dyes. In this study, we focused on the dynamic coloration of plasmonic structures via the photothermal deformation of a metal semi-shell. However, identifying the optimal structure using this method typically requires considerable computational time. To address the high computational cost of structural optimization in dynamic plasmonic coloration, we propose an efficient method for estimating the optimal nanostructure geometry. The color gamut area was found to be influenced by both the nanosphere density and the thickness of the metal semi-shell. The optical response of deformed semi-shells, resulting from laser-induced local heating, was simulated across a range of semi-shell shapes. From these simulations, an empirical correlation was identified that links nanoparticle diameter, density, and semi-shell thickness. This correlation enables the rapid estimation of optimal parameters, thereby reducing computational demands and supporting the efficient fabrication of dynamic plasmonic color materials.