The Past, the Present, and the Future of Sculptured Thin Films

Lakhtakia, Akhlesh; Messier, Russell

doi:10.1117/3.504610.ch19

Book: Introduction to Complex Mediums for Optics and Electromagnetics

Editor(s): Werner S. Weiglhofer; Akhlesh Lakhtakia

Author(s): Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Russell Messier

Published: 2003

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.504610.ch19

Abstract

Sculptured thin films are nanostructured inorganic materials with unidirectionally varying properties that can be designed and realized in a controllable manner using physical vapor deposition. We trace their development from their precursors, from chronological as well as morphological points of view. Their continuum electromagnetic constitutive relations are presented, along with a control model to link their nanostructure to their continuum properties. Both accomplished and emerging applications are reviewed, and directions for future research are suggested.