Multiscale structured glass for advanced light management

Abstract

Classic optical glass for mirror and lens systems may benefit from distinctive features of the glass state such as chemical and structural homogeneity at large length scales. However, this has restricted the ability of these systems for local light management. Herein, we have presented a multiscale strategy for glass design and experimentally realized a new multiscale structured glass through relaxation control. The constructed material is characterized by rich microstructures spanning the nano- (down to ∼50 nm) and micrometer scales (up to ∼70 μm), demonstrating a previously unrealized optical behavior. These materials combine excellent optical transparency and internal scattering. Importantly, their unique multiscale configuration enables simultaneous control of the chemical state and local chemical environment of the incorporated dopant. This allows us to generate color-switchable emission (blue, red to white) with high brightness and build a colorimetric temperature sensor. Our results highlight that the multiscale design strategy may provide opportunities for the development of a new generation of photonic glass.