Plasmonically enhanced spectrally-sensitive coatings for gradient heat flux sensors

The spectral response and directional scattering of semiconductor-oxide core-shell spherical microparticles embedded in an insulating medium at low volume fraction are computed using Mie Theory and Multiscale Modelling methods. The surface plasmon resonances of low-bandgap semiconductor microinclusions have excellent and tunable scattering properties. By adjusting the size, material, shell thickness, and dielectric environment of the particles, the energies of the localized surface resonances are tuned to match the discrete solar spectrum. Near-IR solar reflectance efficiency factors of up to 80% are observed. Further the transmittance of broadband or specific wavelengths could be blocked. These spectrally-sensitive coatings have application as a back-reflector for solar devices, high temperature thermal insulator, and optical filters in Gradient Heat Flux Sensors (GHFS) for fire safety applications.