One-dimensional photonic crystal with spectrally selective low infrared emissivity fabricated with Te and ZnSe

To restrain the infrared radiation from high temperature objects to decrease the probability of being discovered by infrared detectors operating in the mid- and far-infrared atmospheric windows, we design a one-dimensional heterostructure photonic crystal (PC) using low-cost coating materials Te and ZnSe, and test its reflection spectra and radiant temperature. The tested results show that this PC has high average reflectance in 3- to 5-μm and 8- to 14-μm wavebands, which is 86.72% and 72.91%, respectively, and the corresponding emissivity is 0.072 and 0.194, respectively. The radiant temperatures of the PC are always lower than those of the background, with the maximal difference of the radiant temperature being 31.97°C corresponding to a background radiant temperature of 75.64°C. The study confirms that the deposited PC can effectively decrease the infrared radiation in mid- and far-infrared bands.