Subtractive structural colors with easy combinability and dynamic tunability based on the CMA-ES algorithm

Structural colors, originating from the intricate interaction between nanoscale material structures and light waves, represent an advanced color rendering strategy characterized by high stability, durability, and environmental friendliness. In this paper, reflective subtractive color pixel structures are designed using the covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (CMA-ES) algorithm. The resulting unit pixels exhibit outstanding spectral selectivity, with reflectance exceeding 0.8 in the passband and suppressed below 0.1 in the target stopband. By appropriately combining subtractive color pixels, additive color synthesis is realized. Moreover, dynamic color tuning via polarization angle modulation is also demonstrated. This work investigates the potential of algorithm-assisted structural design for precise color control, providing new insights and methodologies for structural color research.