Visible-infrared compatible stealth metamaterial for space applications

Space-to-ground visible and infrared stealth is of great importance in space technology. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a visible-infrared compatible stealth metamaterial for space applications. The metamaterial combines a multilayer of Ge and Mo with a periodical array of Ge nano-pyramids on the top. The proposed metamaterial is numerically studied and experimentally fabricated. It exhibits high visible and near infrared light absorptivity. Simultaneously, the metamaterial shows low infrared absorptivity and emissivity to suppress thermal radiation at the typical mid-wave infrared (3-5 <i>μm</i>) and long-wave infrared (8-12 <i>μm</i>) windows. Moreover, it exhibits high absorption and emission in the non-atmospheric window band of 5-8 <i>μm</i>, thereby enabling effective radiative heat dissipation. Our work will promote the application of stealth metamaterials in the field of space technology.