Far-infrared transparent conductors

The long-standing challenge in designing far-infrared transparent conductors (FIRTC) is the combination of high plasma absorption edge (λ_p) and high conductivity (σ). These competing requirements are commonly met by tuning carrier concentration or/and effective carrier mass in a metal oxide/oxonate with low optical dielectric constant (ε_opt = 2–7). However, despite the high σ, the transparent band is limited to mid-infrared (λ_p < 5 μm). In this paper, we break the trade-off between high σ and λ_p by increasing the “so-called constant” ε_opt that has been neglected, and successfully develop the material family of FIRTC with ε_opt > 15 and λ_p > 15 μm. These FIRTC crystals are mainly octahedrally-coordinated heavy-metal chalcogenides and their solid solutions with shallow-level defects. Their high ε_opt relies on the formation of electron-deficiency multicenter bonds resulting in the great electron-polarization effect. The new FIRTC enables us to develop the first “continuous film” type far-infrared electromagnetic shielder that is unattainable using traditional materials. Therefore, this study may inaugurate a new era in far-infrared optoelectronics.