Scalable fabrication of dynamically tunable micro structures on elastomeric substrates for large-area soft photonics and stimuli-responsive devices

Ordered micro- and nanoscale structures on substrates enhance and manipulate light-matter interactions, paving the way for customized photonic devices. However, conventional fabrication techniques, such as lithography and precision etching, are intricate, time-intensive, and expensive, restricting their scalability and adaptability. Instability-driven micro- and nanostructures offer a promising alternative by reducing dependence on lithography while preserving its efficiency. Despite this potential, most existing studies focus on processing technologies that either give rise to irregular labyrinth-like structures or are constrained by material choices, limited scalability, or defects like cracks and delamination, ultimately restricting their use in photonic and bio-engineering applications. To address these challenges we present a controlled thermal process strategy for fabricating large-area, dynamically tunable, 1D,2D and 3D micro and nanostructures on a wide range of compatible materials including metals, semiconductors (Chalcogenides) and polymers.