Vantablack

Vantablack is a brand name for a family of ultra-black coatings developed by Surrey NanoSystems in the United Kingdom. The coatings are notable for absorbing an exceptionally high percentage of visible light, making them among the darkest artificial substances. The original Vantablack coating is formed from vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays (VANTA) and is applied to a substrate via chemical vapor deposition at elevated temperatures. The nanotube forest traps light through multiple internal reflections, resulting in extremely low reflectance across the visible spectrum and into the near infrared.

Because of the light-trapping structure, surfaces coated with Vantablack appear two-dimensional or void-like, regardless of their physical shape. The coating is used to suppress stray light in optical systems, enhance the sensitivity of infrared detectors, and reduce glare in aerospace and astronomical instruments. Surrey NanoSystems has since released related formulations and variants designed for different application methods, including sprayable forms, while retaining the same underlying nanotube-based architecture.

Controversy and licensing: In 2011, artist Anish Kapoor acquired exclusive artistic rights to use Vantablack, which sparked debate within the art world about access to the material. The licensing arrangement has been described as limited to artistic use, and it has remained a focal point of discussion regarding accessibility and ethics in art materials.

Applications and considerations: Vantablack coatings require specialized deposition equipment and controlled processes. They are primarily used in scientific and industrial contexts where extreme light absorption and stray-light suppression are advantageous, including telescopes, detectors, and other optical instruments.