Stretchable waveguides maintain efficient, stable signal transmission of surface plasmon polaritons even when bent, twisted, or stretched. These plasmonic waveguides could make it possible to seamlessly embed advanced health monitoring functions into everyday wearable materials.
Plasmonic waveguides are tiny structures that guide light by coupling it with electrons on a metal surface. The new flexible waveguides transmit what are known as spoof surface plasmon polaritons, which are formed with longer wavelengths — radio frequencies in this case — rather than the conventional infrared or visible light.
The elastic spoof surface plasmonic waveguides fully recover their original size and shape after being stretched. They experimentally show that the waveguides achieve stable signal transmission with high efficiency and strong electromagnetic energy confinement even when stretched or bent.
The researchers developed a new design that helically winds deformable metallic wires onto thermoplastic polyurethane to create flexible waveguides. This approach provides both elastic recovery and excellent compatibility with fabric and skin. The design also improves mechanical stability compared to other stretchable substrates by reducing lateral strain during longitudinal stretching. (Image credit: Zuojia Wang, Zhejiang University)
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