Broadband Unidirectional Thermal Emission

Directional control of far-field thermal emission plays a key role in effective heat and energy transfer. However, conventional photonic strategies are challenging to concurrently control the polar and azimuthal angle of thermal emission over broadband. Here both polar and azimuthal angles of thermal emission are constrained to narrow ranges over broadband by introducing in-plane anisotropy combined with magneto-optical materials in the epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) wavelength range. The physical mechanism of tunable perfect absorption/emission is explored by investigating the evolution of multiple topological phase singularity pairs (TPSPs). The structure consisting of a magnetized gradient-ENZ emitter and anisotropic spacer that exhibits high (>0.8) unidirectional emissivity (theta: 55 degrees-79 degrees, phi: 163.5 degrees-196.5 degrees) in the p-polarization for a broad range of wavelength (22-26 mu m) is demonstrated. The unveiled physics synergizing ENZ, anisotropy, and magneto-optical properties that support broadband unidirectional thermal emission will bring new opportunities in applications such as thermal camouflaging, thermal photovoltaics, and infrared light sources.