Two-dimensional talc as a natural abundant ultra-broadband hyperbolic material

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Flávio H. Feres - , Chair of Experimental Physics / Photophysics, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (Author)
  • Francisco C.B. Maia - , Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (Author)
  • Shu Chen - , University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (Author)
  • Victor Mazzotti - , Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, State University of Campinas (Author)
  • Rafael A. Mayer - , Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, State University of Campinas (Author)
  • Maximilian Obst - , Chair of Experimental Physics / Photophysics (Author)
  • Osama Hatem - , Chair of Experimental Physics / Photophysics, Tanta University (Author)
  • Lukas Wehmeier - , Brookhaven National Laboratory (Author)
  • Tobias Nörenberg - , Institute of Applied Physics (Author)
  • Matheus S. Queiroz - , Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (Author)
  • J. Michael Klopf - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) (Author)
  • Susanne C. Kehr - , Chair of Experimental Physics / Photophysics (Author)
  • Lukas M. Eng - , Chair of Experimental Physics / Photophysics (Author)
  • Alisson R. Cadore - , Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (Author)
  • Rainer Hillenbrand - , University of the Basque Country, Ikerbasque Basque Foundation for Science (Author)
  • Raul O. Freitas - , Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (Author)
  • Ingrid D. Barcelos - , Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (Author)

Abstract

We demonstrate that two-dimensional talc, a naturally abundant phyllosilicate mineral, supports hyperbolic phonon-polaritons (HPhPs) across the mid- and far-infrared wavelengths. Using scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) and synchrotron infrared nano-spectroscopy (SINS), we reveal tunable HPhP modes in talc flakes with long lifetimes, high confinement, and quality factors of up to 5. We further observe Fabry–Pérot cavity modes in tapered flakes, confirmed by simulations and analytical modeling. Compared to synthetic crystals, talc offers an ultra-broadband, low-cost, and sustainable platform for infrared nanophotonics and optoelectronics.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)24151-24160
JournalNanoscale
Volume2025
Issue number17
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 29 Sept 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 41055003
ORCID /0000-0002-2484-4158/work/197961399

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas