In a groundbreaking development, researchers have introduced a novel approach to creating flexible near-infrared (NIR) plasmonic devices using scandium nitride (ScN) films, a material known for its affordability and scalability. This advancement, spearheaded by Prof. Bivas Saha at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore, holds immense potential to revolutionize optoelectronic devices, flexible sensors, and medical imaging tools reliant on NIR light.

Plasmonics, a field that explores the interaction between light and free electrons in metals, generates highly confined electromagnetic fields. However, traditional plasmonic materials, such as gold and silver, are expensive, rigid, and offer limited design versatility. Addressing these limitations, Prof. Saha's team demonstrated a novel method to grow flexible plasmonic structures using scandium nitride in combination with van der Waals (vdW) layer substrates.

The research utilized van der Waals heteroepitaxy, a process where single-crystal layers are deposited onto substrates with weak interlayer interactions. This technique enabled the production of high-quality, flexible ScN films, marking a new pathway in plasmonic material development. The study, published in the prestigious journal Nano Letters, highlights ScN's potential as a robust material for NIR plasmonics.

Through meticulous engineering, the team achieved epitaxial growth of ScN layers on flexible substrates, creating conditions for plasmon-polaritons—quasiparticles formed from the coupling of plasmons and photons—to propagate in the NIR range. Importantly, the ScN material retained its stability and performance even when subjected to bending and flexing, making it ideal for flexible device applications.

“Scandium nitride’s stability, combined with its compatibility with van der Waals substrates, makes it an exciting candidate for next-generation flexible electronics,” said Prof. Saha. “Our findings pave the way for advanced plasmonic devices that are both high-performing and adaptable to unconventional applications.”

Debmalya Mukhopadhyaya, the study's first author, emphasized the broader implications of this research, stating, “The results mark a critical step in merging plasmonics with flexible electronics, potentially setting the stage for innovations that leverage the unique properties of near-infrared plasmon-polaritons.”

This breakthrough promises wide-ranging applications across industries, from telecommunications to biomedicine. By combining flexibility with high precision, ScN-based plasmonic devices could redefine the boundaries of wearable technology, optical communication systems, and advanced imaging tools.

As plasmonics evolves, this innovative use of scandium nitride exemplifies the creative potential of materials science, laying a strong foundation for the next generation of flexible and wearable technologies. This research underscores the transformative power of science and its ability to address modern technological challenges through pioneering material solutions.