How to Manufacture Photonic Metamaterials

Metamaterials, which started off focused on optical and electromagnetic applications such as invisibility and “hyperlenses” with resolution beyond the diffraction limit, has now broadened in scope to include pretty much everything from wireless communications (antennas), lasers, computing, solar power, sports equipment, medicine; acoustics, structural mechanics and even air conditioning. Yet, the promises derived from these applications have not been exploited in earnest and the market for them has not grown much so far, likely because a facile and economical method for fabricating them without defect has not emerged. This review scrutinizes the methods used to manufacture metamaterials with the aim to remedy this shortcoming.