Design of a polarization-independent, wide-angle, broadband visible absorber. Issue 2 (19th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jia, Xiuli; Wang, Xiaoou
• Is Part Of: Journal of modern optics. Volume 65:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 129
• Page End: 135
• Publication Date: 2018-01-19
• Subjects: Metamaterials -- visible absorber -- polarization-independent -- wide-angle -- broadband; Optics -- Periodicals; 535
• DOI: 10.1080/09500340.2017.1380240
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-0340

Abstract

Abstract: Many optical systems benefit from elements that can absorb a broad range of wavelengths over a wide range of angles, independent of polarization. In this paper, we present a polarization-independent, wide-angle, broadband absorber in the visible regime that exploits strong symmetric and asymmetric resonance modes of electromagnetic dipoles. It makes use of a bilayer cross-pattern structure which is simple, having five layers that include two stacks of metal ribbon in cross-patterns, two dielectric spacers and a metal reflecting layer. Simulations show that the design exhibits a significantly enhanced absorption property when compared to a device with a bilayer metal film structure or any other complex structure of cross-patterns that have no intersection angle. The maximum absorption efficiency of the device is 100% at resonances, and its absorption characteristics can be maintained over a wide range of angles of incidence – up to ± 60° – regardless of the incident polarization. This strategy can, in principle, be applied to other material systems and could be useful in diverse applications, including thermal emitters, photovoltaics and photodetectors.