Synergistic band structure and interference engineering in CrTiWYAlN HENs multilayers for space visible-infrared compatible stealth
摘要
Visible-infrared (Vis-IR) compatible stealth coatings are urgently needed for spacecraft that must remain inconspicuous while operating in harsh space environments. Yet, combining high visible absorptivity (α), low infrared emissivity (ε), wide angular tolerance, and long-term stability within a single coating system is still non-trivial. In this work, we construct a CrTiWYAlN high-entropy nitrides (HENs) multilayer that consists of a high-metal-volume-fraction (HMVF) layer, a low-metal-volume-fraction (LMVF) layer, and a Si3N4 dielectric layer, forming a graded-refractive-index profile across the thickness. By coupling thin film interference with electronic band structure engineering, the coating exhibits broadband absorption in the visible region while maintaining strongly suppressed emission in the infrared. First-principles band-structure calculations together with finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations show that the redistribution of metal-N electronic states (involving Cr/Ti/W/Y/Al) coupled with multilayer interference, enhances light trapping, broadens the absorption band, and preserves weak angular dependence. The coating also maintains nearly unchanged optical properties after exposure to ultraviolet doses up to 5000 ESH, indicating excellent environmental robustness. These results demonstrate a practical design route toward multifunctional Vis-IR compatible stealth coatings capable of reliable operation under extreme service conditions.