Designing Multilayered Structural Colors Using Low-Cost Dielectric Materials

Conventional dyes used in industry are often unstable, sensitive to high temperatures, and prone to fading. A promising alternative is the use of structural colors created from metasurfaces or multilayers. This study focuses on simulating layered structural colors generated from low-cost dielectric materials of titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, and zinc oxide. Optical transfer matrix calculations were performed to explore various combinations and thicknesses. In the simulations, the optimal thickness range for each material was first identified, varying from 25 to 250 nm. Structural colors were then analyzed for configurations with two, three, and four layers. The results revealed that Fabry-Perot cavities with a lower refractive index in the middle layer produce more saturated colors. It was also found that there is little improvement in color space when more than three layers are used. The results also highlight the need for a transparent or dark substrate to achieve highly saturated colors. This study provides practical guidance for designing layered structural colors using low-cost dielectric materials, addressing limitations commonly found in traditional dyes.