A Wide Incident Angle, Ultrathin, Polarization-Insensitive Metamaterial Absorber for Optical Wavelength Applications

Abstract

Polarization-insensitive metamaterial absorbers (MMAs) are currently attracting a great deal of interest throughout the optical region. These kinds of MMAs can be used as energy harvesting, thermal imaging, plasmonic sensor, magnetic imaging, light trapping, optical modulator, and can help to decipher an inherence for the field. Here, a polarization-insensitive ultrathin MMA has been proposed with an extensive incident angular stability for the optical region with a sandwiched three-layer structure. Tungsten (W) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) have been chosen as materials for their various advantages in the optical spectrum with higher temperature stability. The design simulated with the finite integration technique (FIT), and validation of the simulated data is assured with the interference theory model (ITM). Underlying physics of the absorption characteristics and performance of the structure are immensely explained. The design acquired an average absorption of 96.7% from 380nm to 700nm and 96.61% for both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarization. It has a peak absorption of 99.99% at 498.25nm, and over 99% from 460nm to 540nm, due to a very good impedance match with plasmonic resonance characteristics. For both TE and TM mode, it has wide angular independence up to 60⁰, which can be used for solar cell and solar thermo-photovoltaics (STPV). The various parametric sweep also analyzed for acquiring the geometric shape with a wide bandwidth to find resonance wavelength. As the MMA shifts its resonance wavelength with the change of its dielectric thickness, it can be used as an optical sensor. Changing dielectric in a Pyrex will enable the structure to be used as a light detector. Such outstanding absorption properties render the proposed MMA a successful candidate for the optical wavelength applications mentioned above. INDEX TERMS polarization-insensitive, metamaterial absorber, incident angular stability, impedance match, plasmonic resonance characteristics.

Soil moisture remote sensing using SIW cavity based metamaterial perfect absorber

“…The insensitivity of absorption characteristics facing various incident waves is an important parameter due to different polarization and incident angles. Some reported designs show a perfect insensitivity facing different polarization and incident angles for a broad spectrum 49 , 50 . However, having a high Q-factor followed by sharp resonance is crucial for sensing applications.…”

A Metamaterial Absorber Based on Particle Swarm Optimization Suitable for Earth’s Atmospheric Transparency Window

“…The reason for this kind of variation is the different refractive indices of those materials. As we know, for visible to nearinfrared metamaterial absorbers, the lower the refractive index, the higher the absorption and the more extensive the bandwidth [7]. As shown in Fig.…”

“…Perfect absorbers (PA) based on metamaterials have been the subject of intensive research in recent years owing to their various potential applications in infrared stealth, daytime radiative cooling, solar energy, and thermal imaging, among others [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. In 2008, Landy et al reported the first metamaterial PA functioning in the gigahertz (GHz) range [10].…”

A Multi-Band Near Perfect Polarization and Angular Insensitive Metamaterial Absorber With a Simple Octagonal Resonator for Visible Wavelength

“…These plasmons on the surface provided the ideal dipole for the magnification of the located E-field. The interfaces between aluminum and GaAs increase the surface plasmon in the MA which led it to high absorption in some particular points [17], [67]. The electrical dipolar resonance moment is stimulated by the e-field which is strongly confined in the dielectric substance GaAs layer evident in Fig.…”

“…Generally, a three-layered metal-dielectric-metal structure is supposed to be near PMA in solar wavelength. Metal layers prevent the propagation of the EM waves, and a coupling capacitance is constructed between the backlayer and the resonator in an MA with the help of a dielectric substance [17], [18]. Plasmonic resonance characteristics of a dielectric substrate [19], [20], perfect impedance match [21], [22], symmetric structure of the resonator [23], [24], and a good E-field, H-field and surface charge distribution [25], [26] causes high absorption of an PMA.…”