Study on the Filter Integrated with High Transmission and Ultra-Wideband Electromagnetic Shielding Function in the View of Surface Plasmon
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors designed two types of filters shielding the wavebands of 3.7-4.8 micrometers and 8-12 micrometers, respectively, using the circle hole array structure. They demonstrated by tuning the geometric parameters that the shielding performance can be higher than 45 dB with high transmittance above 85%. They also claimed an improvement in theoretical simulation which seems quite interest. Although the idea is simple, the authors presented a careful investigation on the electromagnetic shielding materials for band filters, which maybe interest for people who are working this area. From this point of view, I think the manuscript deserves for publication. However, the English presentation is full of grammar problems that significantly hinder the reading. Therefore, before considering publication, the authors should address following issues.
(i) The English presentation should be polished;
(ii) The authors mentioned in the introduction part about the powerful electromagnetic attack. But in there research consideration, I do not see some information on the simulation of the role of electromagnetic attack. For example, what kind of electromagnetic attack the designed filter can go against?
The English presentation is full of grammar problems that significantly hinder the reading.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 1 Comments
Dear reviewer:
Thank you for your decision and constructive comments on my manuscript. We have carefully considered the suggestion of Reviewer and make some changes. We have tried our best to improve and made some changes in the manuscript.
The red part that has been revised according to your comments. Revision notes, point-to-point, are given as follows:
Point 1: The English presentation should be polished;
Response 1:
We apologize for the poor language of our manuscript. We worked on the manuscript for a long time and the repeated addition and removal of sentences and sections obviously led to poor readability. We have now worked on both language and readability and have also involved native English speakers for language corrections. We really hope that the flow and language level have been substantially improved.
Point 2: The authors mentioned in the introduction part about the powerful electromagnetic attack. But in there research consideration, I do not see some information on the simulation of the role of electromagnetic attack. For example, what kind of electromagnetic attack the designed filter can go against?
Response 2:
In the background introduction of the introduction, we mainly extend to the protection issues of optoelectronic detection systems by introducing the rapid development of strong electromagnetic weapons and the continuous reduction of frequency band resources. However, the working mode and environment of traditional filters are far from meeting the requirements. Therefore, this article proposes a periodic microstructure filter that can meet the requirements of high transmittance in the infrared band and broadband electromagnetic protection capability in the radar band, thus achieving protection for the photoelectric detection system in the radar band.
In addition, we have revised the grammar of the full article.
Thanks again for your time and valuable suggestions, and the revised part of the article has been highlighted, but excluding the language and grammar sections.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
In the article, the authors describe the original model of the filter, which provides high transmission in the infrared range and shielding from electromagnetic interference. The article will be of interest to the readers of the journal, I believe that it can be published after minor revision:
1. Equations (7) - (14) and how they are used to calculate the transmittance of the system are not entirely clear. It would be nice to clarify the values I1, I2, V1, V2, S11, S12, S21, S22.
2. It is not entirely clear what the authors mean by direct simulation. What is the direct simulation model?
3. It would be good to compare the characteristics of the filter with known analogues.
The quality of the English language in the article is good. The text is clear.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 2 Comments
Dear reviewer:
Thank you for your decision and constructive comments on my manuscript. We have carefully considered the suggestion of Reviewer and make some changes. We have tried our best to improve and made some changes in the manuscript.
The red part that has been revised according to your comments. Revision notes, point-to-point, are given as follows:
Point 1: Equations (7) - (14) and how they are used to calculate the transmittance of the system are not entirely clear. It would be nice to clarify the values I1, I2, V1, V2, S11, S12, S21, S22.
Response 1:
The manuscript has been revised based on the reviewer's suggestions.
The modified part has been marked.
The details are as follows:
“As shown above, V1 is the total voltage flowing into the port, and V2 is the total voltage flowing out of the port; I1 is the total current flowing into the port, and I2 is the total current flowing out of the port; S11 is the input reflection coefficient passing through the port network, S22 is the output transmission coefficient passing through the port network, S12 is the feedback coefficient passing through the port network, and S21 is the forward transmission coefficient passing through the port network, and Z0 is the characteristic impedance.”
Point 2: It is not entirely clear what the authors mean by direct simulation. What is the direct simulation model?
Response 2:
In the manuscript, we adopt a cascade calculation approach to solve the problem of large thickness substrates that cannot be directly simulated. Compare the following three situations:
(1) Direct simulation of single-layer metal films;
(2) Direct simulation of single-layer sapphire thin films;
(3) Simulation after combining metal thin films with sapphire thin films of the same thickness;
By comparing their transmission spectra, the spectral distribution obtained is basically the same. Therefore, it can be determined that using cascading calculations will not result in significant errors in the results.
Point 3: It would be good to compare the characteristics of the filter with known analogues.
Response 3:
The filter designed in the manuscript has two main characteristics: (1) high transmittance in the infrared band and wide response band; (2) Wide electromagnetic shielding range in the radar band; In the current research work reported, metal mesh structures or multi-layer film structures are usually used to achieve both requirements simultaneously. However, the above-mentioned metal grid structure and multi-layer film system structure have obvious limitations and defects. Therefore, the focus of this article is to address the problems that exist in metal grid and multi-layer film structures. On the other hand, there are currently many reported filter works that can achieve transmittance above 0.8 in the infrared band, so we have not made much comparison.
In addition, we have revised the grammar of the full article.
Thanks again for your time and valuable suggestions, and the revised part of the article has been highlighted, but excluding the language and grammar sections.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
The paper looks great overall, however, here is a minor issue: realign all plots and graphs, as some are on the left while others are on the right. The paper would look better if all of them were centered.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 3 Comments
Dear reviewer:
Thank you for your decision and constructive comments on my manuscript. We have carefully considered the suggestion of Reviewer and make some changes. We have tried our best to improve and made some changes in the manuscript.
The red part that has been revised according to your comments. Revision notes, point-to-point, are given as follows:
Point 1: The paper looks great overall, however, here is a minor issue: realign all plots and graphs, as some are on the left while others are on the right. The paper would look better if all of them were centered.
Response 1:
In the manuscript we submitted, all figures are in the center position. Through communication with journal editors in the early stages, these issues will be uniformly addressed during publication.
In addition, we have revised the grammar of the full article.
Thanks again for your time and valuable suggestions, and the revised part of the article has been highlighted, but excluding the language and grammar sections.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
The authors proposed an engineered filter based on a periodic metallic structure. The manuscript is well structured. However a comprehensive review is needed before publication.
-The first sentence of subsection 2.2 reads:
"...any color in nature can be mixed by the three colors of red, green and blue in a specific proportion."
This reviewer suggest to rewrite this sentence to "...any color in nature can be displayed/represented as the combination of the three primary colors..."
-Please check the font size in all equations.
-Figure 3 seem incomplete in the last column.
A comprehensive language review is needed. Some examples are detailed below:
-First sentence in abstract is too long and a little cryptic.
-Second sentence reads: "In this article, by etching the subwavelength circle array structure in the metal film..." This reviewer recommend to switch the word "the" for the word "a".
-The second part of the same sentence needs to be revised.
-In the introduction section, this reviewer recommend to change "metal induced structure" to "metal-based structure"
-CST after Figure 1 needs to be defined.
-In first sentence of subsection 2.2, "color science theory" may change to "color science".
-Check inverter word order. For instance in second sentence of subsection 2.2 where "structure designed" may change to "designed structure".
-Please change "2°" to "second" in fourth sentence of subsection 2.2
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 4 Comments
Dear reviewer:
Thank you for your decision and constructive comments on my manuscript. We have carefully considered the suggestion of Reviewer and make some changes. We have tried our best to improve and made some changes in the manuscript.
The red part that has been revised according to your comments. Revision notes, point-to-point, are given as follows:
Point 1: The first sentence of subsection 2.2 reads:
"...any color in nature can be mixed by the three colors of red, green and blue in a specific proportion."
This reviewer suggest to rewrite this sentence to "...any color in nature can be displayed/represented as the combination of the three primary colors...".
Response 1:
The manuscript has been revised based on the reviewer's suggestions.
The modified part has been marked.
Point 2: Please check the font size in all equations.
Response 2:
The font of the formula in the manuscript has been adjusted, and communication has been made on the earlier stage with the journal. Unified processing will be carried out during publication.
Point 3: Figure 3 seem incomplete in the last column.
Response 3:
In the manuscript we uploaded, the fig. 3 is complete, and the reason for the error is adjustments to the layout of the format. Through communication with journals, unified adjustments will be made during publication.
Point 4: First sentence in abstract is too long and a little cryptic.
Response 4:
The manuscript has been revised based on the reviewer's suggestions.
The modified part has been marked.
The details are as follows:
“The generation of strong electromagnetic weapon requires the electromagnetic protection performance of the photoelectric system, including the high shielding and ultra-wideband protection characteristics against strong electromagnetic attacks and superhigh infrared transmittance.”
Point 5: Second sentence reads: "In this article, by etching the subwavelength circle array structure in the metal film..." This reviewer recommend to switch the word "the" for the word "a".
Response 5:
The manuscript has been revised based on the reviewer's suggestions.
The modified part has been marked.
Point 6: The second part of the same sentence needs to be revised.
Response 6:
The manuscript has been revised based on the reviewer's suggestions.
The modified part has been marked.
The details are as follows:
“This article aims to excite surface plasmons by etching a subwavelength circular array structure on the surface of a metal film. At the same time, the local field enhancement effect based on surface plasmons is used to tune specific wavelengths of light, achieving the goal of enhancing the optical transmission effect.”
Point 7: In the introduction section, this reviewer recommend to change "metal induced structure" to "metal-based structure".
Response 7:
The manuscript has been revised based on the reviewer's suggestions.
The modified part has been marked.
Point 8: CST after Figure 1 needs to be defined.
Response 8:
The manuscript has been revised based on the reviewer's suggestions.
The modified part has been marked.
Point 9: In first sentence of subsection 2.2, "color science theory" may change to "color science".
Response 9:
The manuscript has been revised based on the reviewer's suggestions.
The modified part has been marked.
Point 10: Check inverter word order. For instance in second sentence of subsection 2.2 where "structure designed" may change to "designed structure".
Response 10:
The manuscript has been revised based on the reviewer's suggestions.
The modified part has been marked.
Point 11: Please change "2°" to "second" in fourth sentence of subsection 2.2.
Response 11:
The manuscript has been revised based on the reviewer's suggestions.
The modified part has been marked.
In addition, we have revised the grammar of the full article.
Thanks again for your time and valuable suggestions, and the revised part of the article has been highlighted, but excluding the language and grammar sections.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 5 Report
This work represents dipole cavities (also known as hole array) based artificial structures for filtering effects. Authors extend it further to demonstrate shielding effects. Dipole cavities are well known for last two decades. However, authors picked up application aspects, which is worthy. Nevertheless, my comments are mentioned below,
1) Authors must improve English writing. Particularly the long sentences, they may focus on small, correctly organized sentences.
2) In this work, major contribution lies in the fact that typical sub-wavelength resonators are hybridized with hole array or dipole cavity array. This hybridization leads to attain different frequency bands. I have a question in this regard. Can authors comment on the excited modes. There is no discussion on that aspect.
3) Hole array hybrid structures are not new. For example, in few recent works similar structures are demonstrated. Unfortunate that those works are not mentioned at all. iScience, 25, 104025 (2022) and JOSA B, 40, 1251 (2023)
4) Please improve the figures. particularly, the data plots. narrow resonance features are not distinct at all.
Overall, I think this work has good potential.
English needs to be improved. particuylarly the constructions of long sentences.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 5 Comments
Dear reviewer:
Thank you for your decision and constructive comments on my manuscript. We have carefully considered the suggestion of Reviewer and make some changes. We have tried our best to improve and made some changes in the manuscript.
The red part that has been revised according to your comments. Revision notes, point-to-point, are given as follows:
Point 1: Authors must improve English writing. Particularly the long sentences, they may focus on small, correctly organized sentences.
Response 1:
We apologize for the poor language of our manuscript. We worked on the manuscript for a long time and the repeated addition and removal of sentences and sections obviously led to poor readability. We have now worked on both language and readability and have also involved native English speakers for language corrections. We really hope that the flow and language level have been substantially improved.
Point 2: In this work, major contribution lies in the fact that typical sub-wavelength resonators are hybridized with hole array or dipole cavity array. This hybridization leads to attain different frequency bands. I have a question in this regard. Can authors comment on the excited modes. There is no discussion on that aspect.
Response 2:
In the manuscript, the author excites local surface plasmons inside a circular hole through the interaction between light and material, and utilizes its local field enhancement feature to improve the transmittance of metal films in the infrared band.
Point 3: Hole array hybrid structures are not new. For example, in few recent works similar structures are demonstrated. Unfortunate that those works are not mentioned at all. iScience, 25, 104025 (2022) and JOSA B, 40, 1251 (2023)
Response 3:
This manuscript mainly utilizes metal micro/nano structures to excite surface plasma, thereby enhancing the transmittance of metal thin films. At the same time, the remaining metal film after etching is used to form a continuous electrical conductor, thereby achieving electromagnetic shielding effect in the radar band. Combining these two functions can effectively reduce the contradiction between light transmission and shielding in traditional filters. Therefore, the manuscript does not overly design complex structures, nor does it delve into theoretical discussions. Instead, it emphasizes explanations in practical applications.
Of course, we have carefully studied the literature suggested by the Reviewer and introduced it into our literature 15.
The modified part has been marked.
Point 4: Please improve the figures. particularly, the data plots. narrow resonance features are not distinct at all.
Response 4:
In our manuscript, we mainly discuss the atmospheric communication window, so our optimized geometric parameters exhibit a characteristic transmittance exceeding 0.8 in the infrared medium and long wavelength range. For narrow slit structures, the resonance peak is relatively narrow, generally speaking, but it is not suitable for our application scenario.
In addition, we have revised the grammar of the full article.
Thanks again for your time and valuable suggestions, and the revised part of the article has been highlighted, but excluding the language and grammar sections.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 6 Report
In the following paper, “Study on the filter integrated with high transmission and ultra-wideband electromagnetic shielding function in the view of a surface plasmon” the authors described the design and manufacturing of two types of filters that operate in different wavebands. It is a complete work, well written, well organized, including interesting results. All sections such as introduction, design and modeling, and results were adequately carried out. I think the manuscript reports an acceptable amount of information for a scientific paper. I recommend to the manuscript be accepted after minor revision.
1. Why the Au, Ag, and Al metal thin film materials were used to optimize the geometric parameters of the circle hole structure?
2. In Fig. 2(a), why does the transmission vary with the wavelength, and in Fig. 2(c), why does the transmission decrease on longer wavelengths?
3. In Fig. 4(a), there is a significant difference in the transmission peaks as a function of wavelength for the circle and cylinder. Please explain.
4. How does the polarization of incident light affect the transmission properties of the material?
Minor editing of the English language required
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 6 Comments
Dear reviewer:
Thank you for your decision and constructive comments on my manuscript. We have carefully considered the suggestion of Reviewer and make some changes. We have tried our best to improve and made some changes in the manuscript.
The red part that has been revised according to your comments. Revision notes, point-to-point, are given as follows:
Point 1: Why the Au, Ag, and Al metal thin film materials were used to optimize the geometric parameters of the circle hole structure?
Response 1:
In the manuscript, the maximum transmittance is achieved by adjusting the geometric parameters of the structure (circular hole radius, structural period, and film thickness). At the same time, we know that the types of metal materials have an undeniable impact on surface plasmon resonance effects. Therefore, we selected three more common metal materials for comparison.
Point 2: In Fig. 2(a), why does the transmission vary with the wavelength, and in Fig. 2(c), why does the transmission decrease on longer wavelengths?
Response 2:
In Fig. 2(a), the transmission oscillates periodically with changes in wavelength due to the etalon effect in transparent dielectric materials, which is explained in the manuscript. According to the formula in reference 25:
As the wavelength increases, θ changes, leading to periodic changes in cosθ, ultimately leading to periodic oscillations in transmittance. In Fig. 2(c), we used a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer to measure the infrared transmittance of the sapphire substrate in the 2.5-6μm range. Firstly, when the wavelength is greater than 5μm, the transmittance significantly decreases due to the material characteristics of sapphire: the transmittance range of sapphire material in the infrared band is between 2-6μm. At the same time, the measured transmittance distribution spectrum also shows obvious oscillation characteristics, but due to the dense oscillation period, the curve distribution is relatively smooth compared to Fig. 2(a).
The modified part has been marked.
Point 3: In Fig. 4(a), there is a significant difference in the transmission peaks as a function of wavelength for the circle and cylinder. Please explain.
Response 3:
Firstly, the cylindrical structure and the circular hole structure are complementary structures, and their light propagation paths are completely opposite. In a circular hole structure, the propagation path of light is within the circular hole, and the charge distribution is more compact compared to the entire periodic structure. However, the light propagation path of the cylindrical structure is between adjacent cylinders. Compared to the circular hole structure, the path of light propagation is wider, and the charge distribution is sparser. The enhancement effect of the local field is not as strong as that exhibited by the circle hole structure. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4(a), the peak width of the transmission spectrum of the cylindrical structure is smaller than that of the circular hole structure. Similarly, the cross-shaped and hollow cross-shaped structure are the same.
The modified part has been marked.
Point 4: How does the polarization of incident light affect the transmission properties of the material?
Response 4:
Firstly, in our manuscript, the polarization direction of the incident light will not affect the transmission characteristics of the material. However, due to the different shape characteristics of the geometric structure of the metal film surface in different directions, it will have a significant impact on the enhancing transmission. For example, in a square structure, the transmittance in the 0 or 90 degree direction is definitely different from that in the 45 degree direction. This is due to the presence of sharp corners in the square structure, resulting in the accumulation of a large number of surface plasmons at the sharp corners, which to some extent affects the magnitude of its electric field.
In addition, we have revised the grammar of the full article.
Thanks again for your time and valuable suggestions, and the revised part of the article has been highlighted, but excluding the language and grammar sections.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The manuscript has been improved after revison and the authors have addressed the issues that revierws conserned. I think the manuscript is ready for publication.
Reviewer 5 Report
Satisfied with answers. Recommend accpetance.
Minor editing is reauired.
