The darkest material created is Vantablack.
Vantablack is a substance developed by Surrey NanoSystems in the United Kingdom. It holds the distinction of being the darkest known material created by humans. It's not a traditional paint or dye in the way we usually think of them, but rather a coating composed of millions of carbon nanotubes.
Understanding Vantablack: The World's Darkest Material
The claim to being the "world's darkest material" stems from its incredible ability to absorb light. The structure of Vantablack is key to this property. When light hits the surface, instead of bouncing back, it gets trapped within the forest of nanotubes, effectively being absorbed and converted into heat.
How Vantablack is Made
The original Vantablack coating was produced using a specific manufacturing process. According to the reference, it was grown from a chemical vapour deposition process (CVD). This technique allows for the precise arrangement of the carbon nanotubes that give the material its unique light-absorbing properties.
Astonishing Light Absorption
One of the most striking facts about Vantablack is its light absorption rate. As stated in the reference, the original Vantablack is claimed to absorb up to 99.965% of visible light measured perpendicular to the material. This means that when you look at an object coated in Vantablack, very little light reflects back to your eyes, making it appear as an absence of color or a void. Surfaces coated with Vantablack appear incredibly flat, as the lack of reflected light eliminates shadows and highlights.
Practical Insights and Applications
While not something you'd find in a standard paint can, materials like Vantablack have significant practical applications:
- Astrophysics: Used to coat sensitive optical components in telescopes to minimize internal reflections and improve the detection of faint stars and galaxies.
- Defense: Potential uses in stealth technology.
- Scientific Instruments: Improves the performance of sensors and calibration sources by eliminating scattered light.
- High-Performance Optics: Used in cameras and other optical devices to reduce glare.
Its creation represents a significant advancement in material science, pushing the boundaries of how materials interact with light.
