Green spectral simulative ceramic pigments with combined laser absorption and high-temperature stability†
Abstract
The inherent conflict between the near-infrared plateau of green plants and the absorption of a 1064 nm laser prevents developing green spectral simulative materials with effective laser-suppression properties. Compared with metamaterials, photonic crystals, and organic pigments, inorganic ceramic pigments offer significant advantages, including ease of fabrication, stability, and high-temperature stability. This study utilizes coloured ions to simulate natural environments and achieves laser suppression through the excitation of rare-earth ions and a unique nanostructure. The synergistic effects of temperature variation, vacancy formation, and band gap reduction result in a colour change from deep to light green. The doping of Co ions ensures the compatibility of the green peak and near-infrared plateau with plants while enhancing the laser absorption effect, achieving a reflectance of 42% at 1064 nm. In addition, these pigments exhibit excellent high-temperature stability. This innovative colouration strategy improves our understanding of green-spectrum mimicry and offers substantial possibilities for laser-suppression applications.