Patent ID: 7973696

Claim:
A tunable device for selectively coupling electromagnetic radiation comprising: a first electrically conductive layer including a plurality of discrete surface elements formed on or in the layer; an electrically insulating intermediate layer defining a first surface in communication with the electrically conductive surface layer; a second, continuous electrically conductive layer in communication with a second surface of the electrically insulating intermediate layer; and an electrode in electrical communication with at least one of the first electrically conductive layer, the electrically insulating intermediate layer, and the second continuous, electrically conductive layer, the plurality of discrete surface elements resonantly coupling at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation with respect to the continuous electrically conductive layer; wherein the first electrically conductive layer, the electrically insulating intermediate layer, and the second continuous, electrically conductive layer form a wavelength selective element having at least one reflection or absorption-emission band; and wherein the wavelength selective element comprises a material having a material property that is variable in response to an external signal applied to the device, and wherein variation of the material property tunes the at least one reflection or absorption-emission band.