Polarization-independent Absorber Research Articles

Polarization-Independent Perfect Absorption in Monolayer Black Phosphorus Metasurfaces at Terahertz Frequencies via Critical Coupling.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials, which possess rich underlying physical properties that can provide the potential for designing more efficient and compact optoelectronic devices, have attracted great interest among scientists. Due to the atomic-scale thickness and the anisotropy of in-plane conductivity, 2D black phosphorus (BP) exhibits a polarization-dependent absorption spectrum with low absorption, which limits its further development in polarization-independent applications such as light absorbers and sensors. In this paper, a polarization-independent perfect absorber in the terahertz band is proposed, which is composed of a patterned BP monolayer deposited on a lossless photonic crystal (PC) slab with a back reflection mirror. The absorption of the patterned BP monolayer can reach 100% at resonant frequencies through the critical coupling mechanism of guided resonance. Moreover, the absorber exhibits polarization-independent absorption characteristics for vertically incident light, which are attributed to the 4-fold rotational symmetry of the PC substrate and the patterned BP monolayer deposited on it. This work opens up the possibility of fabricating optically polarization-independent devices based on single-layer 2D anisotropic materials.

Temperature-controlled tunable metamaterial absorber based on vanadium dioxide with ‘switch’ functionality

The performance of traditional absorbers is fixed in a specific frequency or wavelength range, and the actual application often needs to adjust the absorption characteristics according to different scenarios or needs. A THz wave modulator, utilizing temperature-controlled phase change materials, is proposed to address the limitation of absorbers’ inability to adjust to external environments. Tunable absorber is a kind of device with dynamic regulation ability, and its absorption characteristics can be adjusted and optimized according to external conditions. This modulator enables the switch function of metamaterial absorbers, comprising a gold reflector layer, a silicon dioxide depletion layer, and a vanadium dioxide pattern layer. Simulations via finite element method reveal two nearly perfect absorption peaks, up to 99.99%. As temperature rises, absorption rates increase, stabilizing gradually after vanadium dioxide transitions from insulating to metallic phase. With a modulation depth of 98.49%, the absorber achieves adjustability. It enables polarization-independent absorption of electromagnetic waves, exhibiting strong absorption at incident angles from 0° to 50° for TE and TM waves. Leveraging vanadium dioxide’s phase change characteristics, the absorber can switch between ON and OFF states based on temperature changes, promising potential applications in light modulation and THz absorbers.

Ultra-Wideband Terahertz Wave Absorber Using Vertically Structured IGIGIM Metasurface

Achieving perfect absorption of electromagnetic waves across a wide range of frequencies is crucial for various applications, including sensing, imaging, and energy capture. In this study, we introduced a new concept for metasurfaces and proposed a six-layer vertically structured IGIGIM metasurface consisting of gold (Au), silicon (Si), graphene (G1), silica (SiO2), a second layer of graphene (G2), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which demonstrates ultra-wideband absorptance in the terahertz (THz) region. Through theoretical analysis and numerical simulations, we obtained broadband absorptance over 80% with the average absorptance of 92.6% and a bandwidth of 8.22 THz, from 1.78 to 10.0 THz. Whereas, dual broadband absorptance was obtained for above 90% with the bandwidth of 5.63 THz in the two sub-bands of 2.09–3.5 THz and 5.78–10 THz and above 95% with the bandwidth of 3.63 THz in the two sub-bands of 2.32–3.12 THz and 6.35–9.9 THz. Moreover, the proposed structure exhibits a polarization-independent absorption property. Also, it demonstrates a tolerance for the incident angle of 40 degrees, maintaining a wide absorption band. This remarkable feature is attributed to the multiple Fabry–Pérot resonance absorptions in the structure. Our study presents a convenient method for designing high-quality terahertz wave absorbers with outstanding broadband absorptance.

Broadband microwave coding absorber using genetic algorithm

Microwave absorbers play a crucial role in various applications, including radar cross-section reduction, electromagnetic interference suppression, and stealth technology. However, designing a metamaterial absorber with broadband, polarization-independent, and wide-angle absorption characteristics remains a significant challenge. In this work, we study a design of a broadband, polarization-independent microwave coding metamaterial absorber using a genetic algorithm. The genetic algorithm is employed to optimize the topology of unit cells to achieve an average absorption of approximately 95% across an extensive frequency range of 17−26 GHz. The designed absorber maintains its high absorption performance for incident angles up to 50° and is unaffected by the polarization of the incident wave. Preliminary experimental results appear to support the numerical and theoretical analysis. Moreover, the proposed topological optimization method can be extended to design absorbers quickly and efficiently, paving the way for the development of advanced microwave devices and applications.

Metasurface Absorbers with Film-Coupled Au Nanoclusters to Achieve Broadband and Polarization-Independent Absorption of UV-Vis Light.

Metasurface absorbers (MAs) have attracted widespread interest in the recent study of subwavelength artificial optical metasurfaces, although most reported MAs suffer from the actualities of costly and time-consuming fabrications, narrow working bandwidth, polarization-dependent responses, etc., somewhat limiting their practical applications. Herein, we introduce a facile and low-cost method to fabricate MAs with excellent absorption performances via the self-assembly of synthesized Au nanoclusters (NCs) on a Au film spaced by a nanoscale-thick dielectric SiO2. Interestingly, the proposed MAs with well-designed Au film-coupled Au NCs (i.e., an appropriate surface coverage of Au NCs and the compatible thickness of the SiO2 spacer) exhibited a measured average absorbance above 90% within a broad UV-vis wavelength band (200-800 nm). In addition, owing to the MAs' topological symmetry, their UV-vis absorption behaviors presented polarization insensitivity with the incident light angles ranging from 20 to 50°. It has been demonstrated that the excited different surface plasmon resonance modes between Au NCs and the adjacent Au film were vital; in addition, the light-trapping effects from "V"-shaped structures of Au NCs were favorable for the designed MAs with enhanced light absorption. We believe that such MAs and the potential self-assembly fabrication strategy may facilitate scalable optical applications such as photothermalvoltaics, ultraviolet protection, optical storage, and sensing.

Ultra-broadband mid-infrared absorber based on hyperbolic α-MoO3

Owing to their broad operational bandwidth, broadband absorbers are extensively used in various applications, such as solar cells, microbolometers, and light modulators. To enhance energy harvesting, it is essential to achieve insensitivity to wide incident angles and polarization-independent absorption. α-MoO3 is a natural polar van der Waals crystal that hosts phonon polaritons in the mid-infrared spectral region. These polaritons can manipulate the infrared light at the nanoscale and break the diffraction limit, offering a great opportunity for the design of broadband absorbers. In this study, we propose a strategy based on an array of crossed the permittivity of α-MoO3 in [100] and [001] crystallographic axes to expand its broadband absorption. Triangular one-dimensional grating pattern is initially considered, which shows an ultra-broadband and wide-angle insensitive absorption within the range of 10.23–18.07 μm. Subsequently, square pyramidal two-dimensional arrays are investigated, which not only show ultra-broadband absorption and wide-angle insensitivity, but also exhibit polarization independence within the range of 10.46–18.32 μm. This remarkable broadband absorption is elucidated by the effective medium theory and the local power dissipation density. These results demonstrate an effective strategy for constructing ultra-broadband absorbers based on α-MoO3 for applications in solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.

Preparation of Polarization-Independent Absorbers Using Gold and Silicon Dioxide

Preparation of Polarization-Independent Absorbers Using Gold and Silicon Dioxide

Theoretical analysis of composite nanostructure with three-dimensional photonic lattice for ultra-broadband and polarization-independent absorption

In this study, we present a composite nanopillar array with an average absorption efficiency near 100% in an ultra-broad wavelength range from 300 nm to 2000 nm. In particular, the average absorption in the band range from 400 nm to 1000 nm is close to 99% due to the strong coupling between the composite nanopillars and a complementary absorption generated by the two kinds of nanopillars in one period. The real and imaginary parts of the absorber’s impedance present a fluctuation near 1 and 0 in the entire wavelength range, which indicates an ultra-weak reflection of the absorber. The device also shows insensitivity to the polarization state and angle of incidence. The research offers a novel strategy for achieving high-efficiency light absorption in an ultra-broad wavelength range and boosts the potential value of composite nanostructures for thermophotovoltaic cells, electromagnetic stealth, and stray light suppression.

Polarization-independent enhancement of optical absorption in a GaAs quantum well embedded in an air-bridge bull’s-eye cavity with metal electrodes

Electron spins in gate-defined quantum dots (QDs) formed in semiconductor quantum wells (QWs) are promising stationary qubits for implementing large-scale quantum networks in a scalable manner. One key ingredient for such a network is an efficient photon–spin interface that converts any polarization state of a flying photonic qubit to the corresponding spins state of the electron in gate-defined QDs. A bull’s-eye cavity is an optical cavity structure that can enhance the photon absorption of an embedded gate-defined QD without polarization dependence. In this paper, we report the successful fabrication of air-bridge bull’s-eye cavities with metal electrodes and demonstrate the nearly polarization-independent optical absorption of a GaAs QW embedded in the cavities. This work marks an important step toward realizing an efficient photon–spin interface using gate-defined QDs.

Anti-reflecting metasurface for broadband polarization independent absorption at Ku band frequencies

An impedance matched metasurface can efficiently channel the electromagnetic fields for maximum power transfer. The thin film based impedance matching techniques often utilize highly dissipative materials and destructive interference of reflection components from multiple subwavelength layers. Here, we propose a novel method to achieve anti reflection characteristics through destructive interference of antiparallel electromagnetic scattering emerging from chiral metasurface. The supercell structure of metasurface consists of four adjacent multi split-rings on FR-4 substrate. The split-rings are arranged to induce anti-parallel surface currents leading to destructive interference for scattered fields. The antireflection characteristics results in near perfect broadband absorption at dual frequency bands. A broadband absorption of 983 MHz is achieved between 12.687 and 13.669 GHz. Similarly, a narrow band absorption of 108 MHz is achieved in frequency range of 15.307–15.415 GHz. The impedance matched with unique symmetric design of supercell results in identical absorption for both x- and y-polarized incident fields. The numerical and experimental results verify broadband absorption characteristics at Ku band frequencies. The proposed metasurface absorber can be used for microwave energy harvesting applications.

Perfect selective metamaterial absorber with thin-film of GaAs layer in the visible region for solar cell applications

In this paper, we have presented a new design of a metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) consisting of three layers of metal-dielectric-metal in which the top layer is considered of special kind square patches at different places in a unit cell. This MPA exhibits wideband, wide-angle, and polarization-independent absorption performance in the visible region. The proposed MPA structure is composed of a resonator of metal and spacer of a dielectric layer. The interactions between the resonator and the coupling of metal-dielectric create the plasmonics effects which are responsible for the perfect absorption. Under a specific condition, this simulated absorber structure exhibits an extremely high broadband absorption between 591.54 and 704.40 nm wavelength range with near-unity absorption, and a single peak observed at 385.33 nm with the absorption of 94.16%. We extracted the impedance of the absorber and matched it with free space, and also demonstrated the effective permittivity and permeability. Moreover, the parametric study of the resonators, dielectric layer, and multi-band topology has also been investigated. The polarization-insensitive-based metamaterial may be utilized to improve the efficiency of different devices in the visible range. Furthermore, we have calculated the absorption of the proposed MPA under solar radiation (AM1.5) for different structural parameters. The proposed absorber greatly enhances the conversion efficiency which is highly useful for solar cells. We also determined the short circuit current density of this absorber for different thicknesses of the GaAs layer. The meta-surface of Al metal provides a good performance in comparison to other costly metals and the proposed structure may be used for different devices.

Tunability in Graphene Based Metamaterial Absorber Structures in Mid-Infrared Region

Tunable conductivity of graphene, makes it a promising material for metamaterials. There are various graphene tunable metamaterial absorbers in the mid-infrared region, whose absorption spectrum can be dynamically tuned by varying the Fermi potential of graphene. However, graphene absorbers working in the low mid-infrared region (4–7 μm) has limited tuning. In this work, the spectral tuning efficiency of a graphene based metal disc pattern and a graphene ribbon pattern metamaterial absorber is studied using FDTD simulation. The tunability in absorption spectrum achieved by metal disc absorber is 2–4%, which increased to 5–20% for graphene ribbon absorber with more than 85% absorption rate. Thus, the graphene pattern absorber significantly improves the tunability and provides broad tuning in 4–7 μm wavelength range. However, the graphene ribbon absorber is polarization dependent due to its non-symmetric shape. Hence, a new type of nano square hole (NSH) graphene absorber is proposed, which can easily be externally biased and provide polarization independent absorption. The NSH graphene absorber has wide tunability of 5–20% and high absorption rate of 85% similar to the graphene ribbon absorber. These results are very helpful to design tunable sensors and multispectral devices for gas sensor and biosensor applications.

Polarization-Independent, tunable, broadband perfect absorber based on semi-sphere patterned Epsilon-Near-Zero films

Epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) optical materials, whose real part of the dielectric constant crosses zero, have been demonstrated to enhance linear and nonlinear optical responses in the ENZ region. Here, a new broadband light absorption design concept based on the coupling of ENZ and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) modes is proposed. It is verified by a single-layer semi-sphere patterned indium tin oxide (ITO) film based on large-area and low-cost self-assembly technology. Simulation and experimental results show that the 91 nm thick ITO film on the two-dimensional microsphere array can simultaneously excite the ENZ and LSPR modes without complex coupling structures, which enable >98% light absorption in the range of 1435–1680 nm. The perfect absorber based on a corrugated ITO film has typical polarization-independent, large-angular-spectrum, adjustable-absorption-bandwidth, and field-enhanced resonance absorption characteristics. These findings provide a new design solution for low-cost broadband perfect absorbers based on ENZ materials, which have wide prospects for application in near-infrared sensors, photoelectric detection, and ENZ photonics.

Design of InAs nanosheet arrays with ultrawide polarization-independent high absorption for infrared photodetection

InAs nanowires have been considered as good candidates for infrared photodetection. However, one-dimensional geometry of a nanowire makes it unsuitable for broadband light absorption. In this work, we propose and design InAs nanosheet arrays to achieve polarization-independent, angle-insensitive, and ultrawide infrared absorption. Simulations demonstrate that two-dimensional InAs nanosheets can support multiple resonance modes, thus leading to a strong and broadband absorption from visible light to mid-wave infrared. Moreover, we can tune polarization-dependent property in InAs nanosheets to be polarization-insensitive by forming a nanosheet based clover-like and snowflake-like nanostructures. We further optimized the design of InAs nanosheet arrays based on such structures and achieved high absorption (up to 99.6%) covering a broad wavelength range from 500 to 3200 nm. These absorption properties are much superior to their nanowire and planar film counterparts, making it attractive for infrared photodetection applications. The architecture of such nanostructures can provide a promising route for the development of high-performance room-temperature broadband infrared photodetectors.

Colloidal self-assembly based all-metal metasurface absorbers to achieve broadband, polarization-independent light absorption at UV–Vis frequencies

Here, we demonstrate a straightforward colloidal self-assembly strategy to fabricate metasurface absorbers (MAs) with efficient broadband light absorption from ultraviolet (UV) to visible (Vis) spectral range. In this study, high-index faceted colloidal Au nanocrystals (NCs), i.e., Au icosidodecahedron with active surface plasmonic modes, are innovatively designed as the meta-atoms, while a facile electrostatic self-assembly progress is implemented to arrange these meta-atoms onto a gold reflecting film, resulting in MAs with all-metal structures. Optical characterizations show that the well-designed MAs with a 28–32% surface coverage of Au meta-atoms exhibit an average light absorption above 94% within the wavelengths ranging from 200 to 600 nm. Moreover, the particular absorption behaviors of the designed MAs are inherently polarization-independent for a broad range of incident angles (0–45°) owing to the ultrathin structure and topological symmetry of the devices. It has been inferred that the positive localized surface plasmon and gap plasmon resonances excited from the adjacent Au meta-atoms and gold film are critical for self-assembled MAs with excellent absorbing performances. Overall, this work provide an alternative and simple pathway for the construction of scalable and practical UV–Vis MAs, which may facilitate the high-frequency optical applications of thermophotovoltaics, photoelectric devices and photochemical systems.

Comparative Study on the Uniform Energy Deposition Achievable via Optimized Plasmonic Nanoresonator Distributions

Plasmonic nanoresonators of core–shell composition and nanorod shape were optimized to tune their absorption cross-section maximum to the central wavelength of a short laser pulse. The number density distribution of randomly located nanoresonators along a laser pulse-length scaled target was numerically optimized to maximize the absorptance with the criterion of minimal absorption difference between neighboring layers illuminated by two counter-propagating laser pulses. Wide Gaussian number density distribution of core–shell nanoparticles and nanorods enabled to improve the absorptance with low standard deviation; however, the energy deposited until the overlap of the two laser pulses exhibited a considerable standard deviation. Successive adjustment resulted in narrower Gaussian number density distributions that made it possible to ensure almost uniform distribution of the deposited energy integrated until the maximal overlap of the two laser pulses. While for core–shell nanoparticles the standard deviation of absorptance could be preserved, for the nanorods it was compromised. Considering the larger and polarization independent absorption cross-section as well as the simultaneously achievable smaller standard deviation of absorptance and deposited energy distribution, the core–shell nanoparticles outperform the nanorods both in optimized and adjusted nanoresonator distributions. Exception is the standard deviation of deposited energy distribution considered for the complete layers that is smaller in the adjusted nanorod distribution. Optimization of both nanoresonator distributions has potential applications, where efficient and uniform energy deposition is crucial, including biomedical applications, phase transitions, and even fusion.

Multi-mode surface plasmon resonance absorber based on dart-type single-layer graphene.

In this paper, a multi-mode surface plasmon resonance absorber based on dart-type single-layer graphene is proposed, which has the advantages of polarization independence, tunability, high sensitivity, high figure of merit, etc. The device consists of a top layer dart-like patterned single-layer graphene array, a thicker silicon dioxide spacer layer and a metal reflector layer, and has simple structural characteristics. The numerical results show that the device achieves the perfect polarization-independent absorption at the resonance wavelengths of λI = 3369.55 nm, λII = 3508.35 nm, λIII = 3689.09 nm and λIV = 4257.72 nm, with the absorption efficiencies of 99.78%, 99.40%, 99.04% and 99.91%, respectively. The absorption effect of the absorber can be effectively regulated and controlled by adjusting the numerical values such as the geometric parameters and the structural period p of the single-layer graphene array. In addition, by controlling the chemical potential and the relaxation time of the graphene layer, the resonant wavelength and the absorption efficiency of the mode can be dynamically tuned. And can keep high absorption in a wide incident angle range of 0° to 50°. At last, we exposed the structure to different environmental refractive indices, and obtained the corresponding maximum sensitivities in four resonance modes, which are SI = 635.75 nm RIU−1, SII = 695.13 nm RIU−1, SIII = 775.38 nm RIU−1 and SIV = 839.39 nm RIU−1. Maximum figure of merit are 54.03 RIU−1, 51.49 RIU−1, 43.56 RIU−1, and 52.14 RIU−1, respectively. Therefore, this study has provided a new inspiration for the design of the graphene-based tunable multi-band perfect metamaterial absorber, which can be applied to the fields such as photodetectors and chemical sensors.

Infrared broadband photoresponse characteristics of nanoporous NbN film

Nanoporous superconducting films with superconductor-insulator transition characteristics have potential application in the field of infrared photoelectric detection, but their broadband optical response characteristics in infrared band have not been reported. Therefore, taking nanoporous niobium nitride (NbN) films as the main object, the optical response characteristics in the near and medium infrared wavelength range of 780–5000 nm are studied in this paper. Firstly, the Drude-model fitting accuracy of measured NbN permittivity is improved by about 17%, and the NbN optical parameters in mid-infrared band are obtained. Furthermore, the optical response characteristics of the back-illuminated device with nanoporous NbN film are analyzed by finite difference time domain method, and a Bruggeman equivalent model which can simplify the nanoporous film into a uniform film is given, thereby reducing the three-dimensional simulation of nanoporous NbN film into one dimensional simulation. Finally, based on the equivalent model and the transfer matrix method, the light absorption characteristics of the back-illuminated device in near-/mid-infrared wavelength ranges are optimized. The results indicate that, on the one hand, simplifying the design process by using Bruggeman equivalent model will not affect the correctness of the final optimization results, and, on the other hand, a relatively simple optical cavity can make the detector achieve polarization-independent film absorption greater than 82% for near-/mid-infrared broadband design and 93.7% for double-wavelength design.

Dual-Band Polarization-Independent Absorber Based on Resistive Frequency Selective Surface

In this paper, a three-layered frequency-selective absorber (FSA) that can efficiently absorb electromagnetic waves (EM) in a double-band is proposed. The proposed structure is designed so that signals reflected from the frequency selective ground plane are located at 2.4 and 5.5 GHz (ISM and UNII bands) and absorbed by the front resistive layers. Simulation results show that the proposed absorber not only blocks transmission in the desired bands but absorbs the signals reflected from the conductive layer. Reflective FSS unit cells are composed of double square loops printed on an FR-4 substrate and the resistive layers are formed of OhmegaPly material with a resistivity of 50 ohms per square. Furthermore, the proposed absorber is 0.17λ thick at the lowest frequency of absorption. The experimental results agree with the numerical simulations and show an absorptivity of more than 90% at 2.4 and 5.5 GHz, covering entirely ISM and UNII bands.

Ultrabroadband microwave absorber based on 3D water microchannels

In this paper, an ultrathin and ultrabroadband metamaterial absorber based on 3D water microchannels is proposed. The experimental results show an absorption rate over 90% and a relative bandwidth up to 165% in the frequency band between 9.6 and 98.9 GHz. This polarization-independent absorber can work at a wide angle of incidence and exhibits good thermal stability. Benefiting from ultrabroadband absorption, thin thickness, low cost, and environmentally friendly materials, the proposed metamaterial absorber can be used in the fields of electromagnetic wave stealth and electromagnetic radiation protection. Related device design and research methods can be extended to the applied research in the terahertz and optical bands.