Hyperbolic Meta-Antennas Enable Full Control of Scattering and Absorption of Light

Abstract

We show that meta-antennas made of a composite material displaying type II hyperbolic dispersion enable precise and controlled spectral separation of absorption and scattering processes in the visible/near-infrared frequency range. The experimental evidence is supported by a comprehensive theoretical study. We demonstrate that the physical mechanism responsible for the aforementioned effect lies in the different natures of the plasmonic modes excited within the hyperbolic meta-antennas. We prove that it is possible to have a pure scattering channel if an electric dipolar mode is induced, while a pure absorption process can be obtained if a magnetic dipole is excited. Also, by varying the geometry of the system, the relative weight of scattering and absorption can be tuned, thus enabling an arbitrary control of the decay channels. Importantly, both modes can be efficiently excited by direct coupling with the far-field radiation, even when the radiative channel (scattering) is almost totally suppressed, hence making the proposed architecture suitable for practical applications. E 0 k n = 1.5 n = 1.5 J J J J n= 1.5  = 860 nm  = 1120 nm  = 1100 nm  = 1300 nm  = 860 nm  = 1120 nm  = 1100 nm  = 1300 nm APPENDIX A: NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS AND THEORETICAL ANALYSIS 1. Optimization of the hyperbolic meta-antennas dimensions and composition

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