A metamaterial absorber for the terahertz regime: design, fabrication and characterization

Graphene based tunable metamaterial absorber and polarization modulation in terahertz frequency

Graphene can be utilized in designing tunable terahertz devices due to its tunability of sheet conductivity. In this paper, we combine the metamaterial having unit cell of cross-shaped metallic resonator with the double layer graphene wires to realize polarization independent absorber with spectral tuning at terahertz frequency. The absorption performance with a peak frequency tuning range of 15% and almost perfect peak absorption has been demonstrated by controlling the Fermi energy of the graphene that can be conveniently achieved by adjusting the bias voltage on the graphene double layers. The mechanism of the proposed absorber has been explored by a transmission line model and the tuning is explained by the changing of the effective inductance of the graphene wires under gate voltage biasing. Further more, we also propose a polarization modulation scheme of terahertz wave by applying similar polarization dependent absorbers. Through the proposed polarization modulator, it is able to electrically control the reflected wave with a linear polarization of continuously tunable azimuth angle of the major axis from 0° to 90° at the working frequency. These design approaches enable us to electrically control the absorption spectrum and the polarization state of terahertz waves more flexibly.

Excitation of dark plasmonic modes in symmetry broken terahertz metamaterials

Plasmonic structures with high symmetry, such as double-identical gap split ring resonators, possess dark eigenmodes. These dark eigenmodes are dominated by magnetic dipole and/or higher-order multi-poles such as electric quadrapoles. Consequently these dark modes interact very weakly with the surrounding environment, and can have very high quality factors (Q). In this work, we have studied, experimentally as well as theoretically, these dark eigenmodes in terahertz metamaterials. Theoretical investigations with the help of classical perturbation theory clearly indicate the existence of these dark modes in symmetric plasmonic metamaterials. However, these dark modes can be excited experimentally by breaking the symmetry within the constituting metamaterial resonators cell, resulting in high quality factor resonance mode. The symmetry broken metamaterials with such high quality factor can pave the way in realizing high sensitivity sensors, in addition to other applications.

Structurally tunable resonant absorption bands in ultrathin broadband plasmonic absorbers

Light absorption is a fundamental optical process playing significantly important role in wide variety of applications ranging from photovoltaics to photothermal therapy. Semiconductors have well-defined absorption bands with low-energy edge dictated by the band gap energy, therefore it is rather challenging to tune the absorption bandwidth of semiconductors. However, resonant absorbers based on plasmonic nanostructures and optical metamaterials emerged as alternative light absorbers due to spectrally selective absorption bands resulting from optical resonances. Recently, a broadband plasmonic absorber design was introduced by Aydin et al. with a reasonably high broadband absorption. Based on that design, here, structurally tunable, broadband absorbers with improved performance are demonstrated. This broadband absorber has a total thickness of 190 nm with 80% average measured absorption (90% simulated absorption) over the entire visible spectrum (400 - 700 nm). Moreover, the effect of the metal and the oxide thicknesses on the absorption spectra are investigated and results indicate that the shorter and the longer band-edge of broadband absorption can be structurally tuned with the metal and the oxide thicknesses, as well as with the resonator size. Detailed numerical simulations shed light on the type of optical resonances that contribute to the broadband absorption response and provide a design guideline for realizing plasmonic absorbers with structurally tunable bandwidths.

Photoinduced active terahertz metamaterials with nanostructured vanadium dioxide film deposited by sol-gel method

Applying the photoexcitation characteristics of vanadium dioxide (VO(2)), a dynamic resonant terahertz (THz) functional device with the combination of VO(2) film and dual-resonance metamaterial was suggested to realize the ultrafast external spatial THz wave active manipulation. The designed metamaterial realizes a pass band at 0.28-0.36 THz between the dual-resonant frequencies, and the VO(2) film is applied to control the transmittance of the spatial THz wave. More than an 80% modulation depth has been observed in the statics experiment, and the dynamic experimental results illustrate that this active metamaterial realizes up to a 1 MHz amplitude modulation signal loaded on a 0.34 THz carrier wave without any low noise amplified devices. The electromagnetic properties and photoinduced dynamic characteristics of this structure may have many potential applications in THz functional components, including modulators, intelligent switches, and sensors.

Planar broadband and high absorption metamaterial using single nested resonator at terahertz frequencies

A planar broadband metamaterial absorber with high absorptivity working at terahertz frequencies was designed and fabricated in this work. Two nested back-to-back split-ring resonators (BSRRs) constitute a single resonator, which achieves three strong resonances, with two of them merged into a broadband peak. Cobalt silicide and parylene-C were innovatively applied as ground plane and dielectric spacer. The nested BSRR absorber experimentally realizes a bandwidth of 0.66 THz with the absorptivity above 0.8, and the highest absorptivity reaches 0.97. Taking the central frequency at 2.74 THz, the measured FWHM is 47% and the Q factor is 2.13.

Near-ideal optical metamaterial absorbers with super-octave bandwidth

Nanostructured optical coatings with tailored spectral absorption properties are of interest for a wide range of applications such as spectroscopy, emissivity control, and solar energy harvesting. Optical metamaterial absorbers have been demonstrated with a variety of customized single band, multiple band, polarization, and angular configurations. However, metamaterials that provide near unity absorptivity with super-octave bandwidth over a specified optical wavelength range have not yet been demonstrated experimentally. Here, we show a broadband, polarization-insensitive metamaterial with greater than 98% measured average absorptivity that is maintained over a wide ± 45° field-of-view for mid-infrared wavelengths between 1.77 and 4.81 μm. The nearly ideal absorption is realized by using a genetic algorithm to identify the geometry of a single-layer metal nanostructure array that excites multiple overlapping electric resonances with high optical loss across greater than an octave bandwidth. The response is optimized by substituting palladium for gold to increase the infrared metallic loss and by introducing a dielectric superstrate to suppress reflection over the entire band. This demonstration advances the state-of-the-art in high-performance broadband metamaterial absorbers that can be reliably fabricated using a single patterned layer of metal nanostructures.

Review of Plasmonic Nanocomposite Metamaterial Absorber

Plasmonic metamaterials are artificial materials typically composed of noble metals in which the features of photonics and electronics are linked by coupling photons to conduction electrons of metal (known as surface plasmon). These rationally designed structures have spurred interest noticeably since they demonstrate some fascinating properties which are unattainable with naturally occurring materials. Complete absorption of light is one of the recent exotic properties of plasmonic metamaterials which has broadened its application area considerably. This is realized by designing a medium whose impedance matches that of free space while being opaque. If such a medium is filled with some lossy medium, the resulting structure can absorb light totally in a sharp or broad frequency range. Although several types of metamaterials perfect absorber have been demonstrated so far, in the current paper we overview (and focus on) perfect absorbers based on nanocomposites where the total thickness is a few tens of nanometer and the absorption band is broad, tunable and insensitive to the angle of incidence. The nanocomposites consist of metal nanoparticles embedded in a dielectric matrix with a high filling factor close to the percolation threshold. The filling factor can be tailored by the vapor phase co-deposition of the metallic and dielectric components. In addition, novel wet chemical approaches are discussed which are bio-inspired or involve synthesis within levitating Leidenfrost drops, for instance. Moreover, theoretical considerations, optical properties, and potential application of perfect absorbers will be presented.

Low-loss flexible bilayer metamaterials in THz regime

Low insertion-loss single-layer and bilayer metamaterial filters in terahertz (THz) frequency regime were demonstrated on top of low cost flexible Scotch tape by utilizing pattern transfer method. The transmittance of the flexible 51-μm-thick Scotch tape was found out to be higher than 0.85 in the range of 0.2 to 3 THz, which is excellent for the substrate materials for THz applications. Free standing filters exhibited record low insertion loss of 0.6 dB and band rejection ratio as high as 30 dB. The resonance reflection characteristics of the bilayer filters were maintained when they were attached on top of curved PET bottle or metallic surfaces, providing promising application in THz identifications.

Broadband polarization-independent perfect absorber using a phase-change metamaterial at visible frequencies

We report a broadband polarization-independent perfect absorber with wide-angle near unity absorbance in the visible regime. Our structure is composed of an array of thin Au squares separated from a continuous Au film by a phase change material (Ge2Sb2Te5) layer. It shows that the near perfect absorbance is flat and broad over a wide-angle incidence up to 80° for either transverse electric or magnetic polarization due to a high imaginary part of the dielectric permittivity of Ge2Sb2Te5. The electric field, magnetic field and current distributions in the absorber are investigated to explain the physical origin of the absorbance. Moreover, we carried out numerical simulations to investigate the temporal variation of temperature in the Ge2Sb2Te5 layer and to show that the temperature of amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5 can be raised from room temperature to > 433 K (amorphous-to-crystalline phase transition temperature) in just 0.37 ns with a low light intensity of 95 nW/μm(2), owing to the enhanced broadband light absorbance through strong plasmonic resonances in the absorber. The proposed phase-change metamaterial provides a simple way to realize a broadband perfect absorber in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) regions and is important for a number of applications including thermally controlled photonic devices, solar energy conversion and optical data storage.

Impact of interface roughness on the performance of broadband blackbody absorber based on dielectric-metal film multilayers

We report on factors affecting the performance of a broadband, mid-IR absorber based on multiple, alternating dielectric / metal layers. In particular, we investigate the effect of interface roughness. Atomic layer deposition produces both a dramatic suppression of the interface roughness and a significant increase in the optical absorption as compared to devices fabricated using a conventional thermal evaporation source. Absorption characteristics greater than 80% across a 300 K black body spectrum are achieved. We demonstrate a further increase in this absorption via the inclusion of a patterned, porous anti-reflection layer.

Functional multi-band THz meta-foils

In this paper, we present the first experimental demonstration of double- and triple-band negative refraction index meta-foils in the terahertz (THz) region. Multi-band meta-foils constructed by multi-cell S-string resonators in a single structure exhibit simultaneously negative permittivity and negative permeability responses at multiple frequencies. The phenomena are confirmed by numerical simulations and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements. The flexible, freestanding multi-band meta-foils provide a promising candidate for the development of multi-frequency THz materials and devices.

Resonant circuit model for efficient metamaterial absorber

The resonant absorption in a planar metamaterial is studied theoretically. We present a simple physical model describing this phenomenon in terms of equivalent resonant circuit. We discuss the role of radiative and dissipative damping of resonant mode supported by a metamaterial in the formation of absorption spectra. We show that the results of rigorous calculations of Maxwell equations can be fully retrieved with simple model describing the system in terms of equivalent resonant circuit. This simple model allows us to explain the total absorption effect observed in the system on a common physical ground by referring it to the impedance matching condition at the resonance.

Ultrathin and lightweight microwave absorbers made of mu-near-zero metamaterials

We present a theory of perfect absorption in a bilayer model composed of a mu-near-zero (MNZ) metamaterial (MM) absorbing layer on a metallic substrate. Our analytical solutions reveal that a MM layer with a large purely imaginary permeability and a moderate permittivity backed by a metallic plane has a zero reflection at normal incidence when the thickness is ultrathin. The impedance-mismatched metamaterial absorber (MA) can be 77.3% thinner than conventional impedance-matched MAs with the same material loss in order to get the same absorption. A microwave absorber using double-layered spiral MMs with a thickness of only about one percent of the operating wavelength is designed and realized. An absorption efficiency above 93% at 1.74 GHz is demonstrated experimentally at illumination angles up to 60 degrees. Our absorber is 98% lighter than traditional microwave absorbers made of natural materials working at the same frequencies.

A novel structure for tunable terahertz absorber based on graphene

Graphene can be used as a platform for tunable absorbers for its tunability of conductivity. In this paper, we proposed an "uneven dielectric slab structure" for the terahertz (THz) tunable absorber based on graphene. The absorber consists of graphene-dielectric stacks and an electric conductor layer, which is easy to fabricate in the manufacturing technique. Fine tuning of the absorption resonances can be conveniently achieved by adjusting the bias voltage. Both narrowband and broadband tunable absorbers made of this structure are demonstrated without using a patterned graphene. In addition, this type of graphene-based absorber exhibits stable resonances with a wide range angles of obliquely incident electromagnetic waves.

On the perfectly matched layer and the DB boundary condition

In this paper, we consider a particular uniaxial material able to achieve the DB boundary condition. We show how, for particular transverse electromagnetic properties, this material behaves like a perfectly matched layer (PML). Moreover, we find that, with an approximation, the material becomes passive, i.e., loses the active part of the permittivity and of the permeability typical of a PML. In this case, the uniaxial medium becomes realizable as a particular absorbing metamaterial. We present simulations with both guided and free-space waves to show the absorbing behavior of the proposed material.

Hybridization of optical plasmonics with terahertz metamaterials to create multi-spectral filters

Multi-spectral imaging systems typically require the cumbersome integration of disparate filtering materials in order to work simultaneously in multiple spectral regions. We show for the first time how a single nano-patterned metal film can be used to filter multi-spectral content from the visible, near infrared and terahertz bands by hybridizing plasmonics and metamaterials. Plasmonic structures are well-suited to the visible band owing to the resonant dielectric properties of metals, whereas metamaterials are preferable at terahertz frequencies where metal conductivity is high. We present the simulated and experimental characteristics of our new hybrid synthetic multi-spectral material filters and demonstrate the independence of the metamaterial and plasmonic responses with respect to each other.

Design and analysis of perfect terahertz metamaterial absorber by a novel dynamic circuit model

Metamaterial terahertz absorbers composed of a frequency selective layer followed by a spacer and a metallic backplane have recently attracted great attention as a device to detect terahertz radiation. In this work, we present a quasistatic dynamic circuit model that can decently describe operational principle of metamaterial terahertz absorbers based on interference theory of reflected waves. The model comprises two series LC resonance components, one for resonance in frequency selective surface (FSS) and another for resonance inside the spacer. Absorption frequency is dominantly determined by the LC of FSS while the spacer LC changes slightly the magnitude and frequency of absorption. This model fits perfectly for both simulated and experimental data. By using this model, we study our designed absorber and we analyze the effect of changing in spacer thickness and metal conductivity on absorption spectrum.

Polarization-independent dual-band terahertz metamaterial absorbers based on gold/parylene-C/silicide structure

We design, fabricate, and characterize dual-band terahertz (THz) metamaterial absorbers with high absorption based on structures consisting of a cobalt silicide (Co-Si) ground plane, a parylene-C dielectric spacer, and a metal top layer. By combining two periodic metal resonators that couple separately within a single unit cell, a polarization-independent absorber with two distinct absorption peaks was obtained. By varying the thickness of the dielectric layer, we obtain absorptivity of 0.76 at 0.76 THz and 0.97 at 2.30 THz, which indicates the Co-Si ground plane absorbers present good performance.

Double-sided polarization-independent plasmonic absorber at near-infrared region

A double-sided polarization-independent plasmonic absorber is proposed and numerically investigated. Distinct from previously studied absorbers, it could absorb light incident from both sides of the surface through an ultrathin three-layer metal-insulator-metal nanostructure. Patterned metal particles are adopted instead of metal films in this absorber. It shows a high absorbance over a wide incident-angle range at near-infrared region. For electromagnetic waves incident from different sides of the structure, the maximum absorption locates at different wavelengths due to asymmetry. The effective medium theory demonstrates that the whole structure exhibits different impedances for both top and bottom incidences. This double-sided-absorption characteristic could lead to potential applications in thermal emitters, sensing, etc.

Bi-material terahertz sensors using metamaterial structures

In this paper we report on the design, fabrication and characterization of terahertz (THz) bi-material sensors with metamaterial absorbers. MEMS fabrication-friendly SiOx and Al are used to maximize the bimetallic effect and metamaterial absorption at 3.8 THz, the frequency of a quantum cascade laser illumination source. Sensors with different configurations were fabricated and the measured absorption is near 100% and responsivity is around 1.2 deg/μW, which agree well with finite element simulations. The results indicate the potential of using these detectors to fabricate focal plane arrays for real time THz imaging.

Tailoring terahertz plasmons with silver nanorod arrays

Plasmonic materials that strongly interact with light are ideal candidates for designing subwavelength photonic devices. We report on direct coupling of terahertz waves in metallic nanorods by observing the resonant transmission of surface plasmon polariton waves through lithographically patterned films of silver nanorod (100 nm in diameter) micro-hole arrays. The best enhancement in surface plasmon resonant transmission is obtained when the nanorods are perfectly aligned with the electric field direction of the linearly polarized terahertz wave. This unique polarization-dependent propagation of surface plasmons in structures fabricated from nanorod films offers promising device applications. We conclude that the anisotropy of nanoscale metallic rod arrays imparts a material anisotropy relevant at the microscale that may be utilized for the fabrication of plasmonic and metamaterial based devices for operation at terahertz frequencies.

Liquid crystal tunable metamaterial absorber

We present an experimental demonstration of electronically tunable metamaterial absorbers in the terahertz regime. By incorporation of active liquid crystal into strategic locations within the metamaterial unit cell, we are able to modify the absorption by 30% at 2.62 THz, as well as tune the resonant absorption over 4% in bandwidth. Numerical full-wave simulations match well to experiments and clarify the underlying mechanism, i.e., a simultaneous tuning of both the electric and magnetic response that allows for the preservation of the resonant absorption. These results show that fundamental light interactions of surfaces can be dynamically controlled by all-electronic means and provide a path forward for realization of novel applications.

Multi-band metamaterial absorber based on the arrangement of donut-type resonators

We propose multi-band metamaterial absorbers at microwave frequencies. The design, the analysis, the fabrication, and the measurement of the absorbers working in multiple bands are presented. The numerical simulations and the experiments in the microwave anechoic chamber were performed. The metamaterial absorbers consist of an delicate arrangement of donut-shape resonators with different sizes and a metallic background plane, separated by a dielectric. The near-perfect absorptions of dual, triple and quad peaks are persistent with polarization independence, and the effect of angle of incidence for both TE and TM modes was also elucidated. It was also found that the multiple-reflection theory was not suitable for explaining the absorption mechanism of our investigated structures. The results of this study are promising for the practical applications.

Plasmonically enhanced thermomechanical detection of infrared radiation

Nanoplasmonics has been an attractive area of research due to its ability to localize and manipulate freely propagating radiation on the nanometer scale for strong light-matter interactions. Meanwhile, nanomechanics has set records in the sensing of mass, force, and displacement. In this work, we report efficient coupling between infrared radiation and nanomechanical resonators through nanoantenna enhanced thermoplasmonic effects. Using efficient conversion of electromagnetic energy to mechanical energy in this plasmo-thermomechanical platform with a nanoslot plasmonic absorber integrated directly on a nanobeam mechanical resonator, we demonstrate room-temperature detection of nanowatt level power fluctuations in infrared radiation. We expect our approach, which combines nanoplasmonics with nanomechanical resonators, to lead to optically controlled nanomechanical systems enabling unprecedented functionality in biomolecular and toxic gas sensing and on-chip mass spectroscopy.

Infrared perfect absorber based on nanowire metamaterial cavities

An infrared perfect absorber based on a gold nanowire metamaterial cavities array on a gold ground plane is designed. The metamaterial made of gold nanowires embedded in an alumina host exhibits an effective permittivity with strong anisotropy, which supports cavity resonant modes of both electric dipole and magnetic dipole. The impedance of the cavity modes matches the incident plane wave in free space, leading to nearly perfect light absorption. The incident optical energy is efficiently converted into heat so that the local temperature of the absorber will increase. Results show that the designed absorber is polarization-insensitive and nearly omnidirectional for the incident angle.

The role of magnetic dipoles and non-zero-order Bragg waves in metamaterial perfect absorbers

We develop a simple treatment of a metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) based on grating theory. We analytically prove that the condition of MPA requires the existence of two currents, which are nearly out of phase and have almost identical amplitude, akin to a magnetic dipole. Furthermore, we show that non-zero-order Bragg modes within the MPA may consume electromagnetic energy significantly.

Metamaterial saturable absorber mirror

We propose a metamaterial saturable absorber mirror at midinfrared wavelengths that can show a saturation of absorption with intensity of incident light and switch to a reflecting state. The design consists of an array of circular metallic disks separated by a thin film of vanadium dioxide (VO(2)) from a continuous metallic film. The heating due to the absorption in the absorptive state causes the VO(2) to transit to a metallic phase from the low temperature insulating phase. The metamaterial switches from an absorptive state (R≃0.1%) to a reflective state (R>95%) for a specific threshold intensity of the incident radiation corresponding to the phase transition of VO(2), resulting in the saturation of absorption in the metamaterial. The computer simulations show over 99.9% peak absorbance, a resonant bandwidth of about 0.8 μm at 10.22 μm wavelengths, and saturation intensity of 140 mW cm(-2) for undoped VO(2) at room temperature. We also carried out numerical simulations to investigate the effects of localized heating and temperature distribution by solving the heat diffusion problem.

Design and analysis of lumped resistor loaded metamaterial absorber with transmission band

A new type of multi-layer metamaterial (MM) absorber is represented in this paper, which behave as a dielectric slab in transmission band and act as an absorber in another lower band. The equivalent circuit model of each layer in this MM absorber has been established. The transmission line (TL) model is introduced to analysis the mechanism of electromagnetic wave traveling through this MM absorber. Both theoretical and experimental results indicate this MM absorber has a transmission band at 21GHz and an absorptive band from 5GHz to 13GHz. A good match of TL model results and measurement results verified the validity of TL model in analyzing and optimizing the performances of this kind of absorber.

Experimental realization of a metamaterial detector focal plane array

We present a metamaterial absorber detector array that enables room-temperature, narrow-band detection of gigahertz (GHz) radiation in the S band (2-4 GHz). The system is implemented in a commercial printed circuit board process and we characterize the detector sensitivity and angular dependence. A modified metamaterial absorber geometry allows for each unit cell to act as an isolated detector pixel and to collectively form a focal plane array . Each pixel can have a dedicated microwave receiver chain and functions together as a hybrid device tuned to maximize the efficiency of detected power. The demonstrated subwavelength pixel shows detected sensitivity of -77 dBm, corresponding to a radiation power density of 27 nW/m(2), with pixel to pixel coupling interference below -14 dB at 2.5 GHz.

Narrowband terahertz emitters using metamaterial films

In this article we report on metamaterial-based narrowband thermal terahertz (THz) emitters with a bandwidth of about 1 THz. Single band emitters designed to radiate in the 4 to 8 THz range were found to emit as high as 36 W/m(2) when operated at 400 °C. Emission into two well-separated THz bands was also demonstrated by using metamaterial structures featuring more complex unit cells. Imaging of heated emitters using a microbolometer camera fitted with THz optics clearly showed the expected higher emissivity from the metamaterial structure compared to low-emissivity of the surrounding aluminum.

Design of highly absorbing metamaterials for infrared frequencies

Simple designs for polarization independent, metamaterial absorbers at mid-infrared wavelengths and over wide angle of incidence are evaluated computationally. One design consists of an array of circular metallic disks separated from a continuous metallic film by a dielectric film, and shows over 99.9% peak absorbance and a resonant bandwidth of about 0.2 μm wavelengths. The effects of various geometric parameters are analyzed for this metamaterial. Another design consisting of an array of stacked metal-dielectric-metal disks is shown to have an absorbance of over 90% in a comparatively large band of over 1 μm bandwidth, although with a lower peak absorbance of 97%.

Metamaterial electromagnetic wave absorbers

The advent of negative index materials has spawned extensive research into metamaterials over the past decade. Metamaterials are attractive not only for their exotic electromagnetic properties, but also their promise for applications. A particular branch-the metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA)-has garnered interest due to the fact that it can achieve unity absorptivity of electromagnetic waves. Since its first experimental demonstration in 2008, the MPA has progressed significantly with designs shown across the electromagnetic spectrum, from microwave to optical. In this Progress Report we give an overview of the field and discuss a selection of examples and related applications. The ability of the MPA to exhibit extreme performance flexibility will be discussed and the theory underlying their operation and limitations will be established. Insight is given into what we can expect from this rapidly expanding field and future challenges will be addressed.

Broadband terahertz absorber realized by self-assembled multilayer glass spheres

A broadband terahertz (THz) absorber consisting of multilayer glass spheres and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was realized. The multilayer glass spheres were deposited by repeating a self-assembly method used to form monolayer glass spheres and by the spin-coating of PDMS to fill the gaps between the glass spheres. The average reflection at the surface of the absorber was 0.8% and the absorbance was higher than 98% in the frequency range between 0.7 to 2.0 THz.

Microelectromechanical systems bimaterial terahertz sensor with integrated metamaterial absorber

This Letter describes the fabrication of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) bimaterial terahertz (THz) sensor operating at 3.8 THz. The incident THz radiation is absorbed by a metamaterial structure integrated with the bimaterial. The absorber was designed with a resonant frequency matching the quantum cascade laser illumination source while simultaneously providing structural support, desired thermomechanical properties and optical readout access. Measurement showed that the fabricated absorber has nearly 90% absorption at 3.8 THz. A responsivity of 0.1°/μW and a time constant of 14 ms were observed. The use of metamaterial absorbers allows for tuning the sensor response to the desired frequency to achieve high sensitivity for potential THz imaging applications.

Dark acoustic metamaterials as super absorbers for low-frequency sound

The attenuation of low-frequency sound has been a challenging task because the intrinsic dissipation of materials is inherently weak in this regime. Here we present a thin-film acoustic metamaterial, comprising an elastic membrane decorated with asymmetric rigid platelets that aims to totally absorb low-frequency airborne sound at selective resonance frequencies ranging from 100-1,000 Hz. Our samples can reach almost unity absorption at frequencies where the relevant sound wavelength in air is three orders of magnitude larger than the membrane thickness. At resonances, the flapping motion of the rigid platelets leads naturally to large elastic curvature energy density at their perimeter regions. As the flapping motions couple only minimally to the radiation modes, the overall energy density in the membrane can be two-to-three orders of magnitude larger than the incident wave energy density at low frequencies, forming in essence an open cavity.

Interference theory of metamaterial perfect absorbers

The impedance matching to free space in metamaterial perfect absorbers has been believed to involve and rely on magnetic resonant response, with direct evidence provided by the anti-parallel surface currents in the metal structures. Here I present a different theoretical interpretation based on interference, which shows that the two layers of metal structures in metamaterial absorbers are linked only by multiple reflections with negligible near-field interactions or magnetic resonances. This is further supported by the out-of-phase surface currents derived at the interfaces of resonator array and ground plane through multiple reflections and superpositions. The theory developed here explains all features observed in narrowband metamaterial absorbers and therefore provides a profound understanding of the underlying physics.

Broadband and mid-infrared absorber based on dielectric-thin metal film multilayers

We propose a periodic multilayer structure of dielectric and metal interlayers to achieve a near-perfect broadband absorber of mid-infrared radiation. We examine the influence of four factors on its performance: (1) the interlayer metal conductance, (2) the number of dielectric layers, (3) a nanopatterned antireflective layer, and (4) a reflective metallic bottom layer for backreflection. Absorption characteristics greater than 99% of the 300 K and 500 K blackbody spectra are found for the optimized structures. Incident angle and polarization dependence of the absorption spectra are examined. We also investigate the possibility of fabricating a nanopatterned antireflective layer to maximize absorption.

Wideband perfect light absorber at midwave infrared using multiplexed metal structures

We experimentally demonstrate a wideband near-perfect light absorber in the midwave IR region using a multiplexed plasmonic metal structure. The wideband near-perfect light absorber is made of two different size gold metal squares multiplexed on a thin dielectric spacing layer on top of a thick metal layer in each unit cell. We also fabricate regular nonmultiplexed structure perfect light absorbers. The multiplexed structure IR absorber absorbs more than 98% of the incident light over a much wider spectral band than regular nonmultiplexed structure perfect light absorbers in the midwave IR region.

Experimental demonstration of terahertz metamaterial absorbers with a broad and flat high absorption band

We present the design, numerical simulations and experimental measurements of terahertz metamaterial absorbers with a broad and flat absorption top over a wide incidence angle range for either transverse electric or transverse magnetic polarization depending on the incident direction. The metamaterial absorber unit cell consists of two sets of structures resonating at different but close frequencies. The overall absorption spectrum is the superposition of individual components and becomes flat at the top over a significant bandwidth. The experimental results are in excellent agreement with numerical simulations.

Flexible metamaterial absorbers for stealth applications at terahertz frequencies

We have wrapped metallic cylinders with strongly absorbing metamaterials. These resonant structures, which are patterned on flexible substrates, smoothly coat the cylinder and give it an electromagnetic response designed to minimize its radar cross section. We compare the normal-incidence, small-beam reflection coefficient with the measurement of the far-field bistatic radar cross section of the sample, using a quasi-planar THz wave with a beam diameter significantly larger than the sample dimensions. In this geometry we demonstrate a near-400-fold reduction of the radar cross section at the design frequency of 0.87 THz. In addition we discuss the effect of finite sample dimensions and the spatial dependence of the reflection spectrum of the metamaterial.

An extremely broad band metamaterial absorber based on destructive interference

We propose a design of an extremely broad frequency band absorber based on destructive interference mechanism. Metamaterial of multilayered SRRs structure is used to realize a desirable refractive index dispersion spectrum, which can induce a successive anti-reflection in a wide frequency range. The corresponding high absorptance originates from the destructive interference of two reflection waves from the two surfaces of the metamaterial. A strongly absorptive bandwidth of almost 60 GHz is demonstrated in the range of 0 to 70 GHz numerically. This design provides an effective and feasible way to construct broad band absorber in stealth technology, as well as the enhanced transmittance devices.

Microwave and terahertz wave sensing with metamaterials

We have designed, fabricated, and characterized metamaterial enhanced bimaterial cantilever pixels for far-infrared detection. Local heating due to absorption from split ring resonators (SRRs) incorporated directly onto the cantilever pixels leads to mechanical deflection which is readily detected with visible light. Highly responsive pixels have been fabricated for detection at 95 GHz and 693 GHz, demonstrating the frequency agility of our technique. We have obtained single pixel responsivities as high as 16,500 V/W and noise equivalent powers of 10(-8) W/Hz(1/2) with these first-generation devices.

Polarization insensitive, broadband terahertz metamaterial absorber

We present the simulation, implementation, and measurement of a polarization insensitive broadband resonant terahertz metamaterial absorber. By stacking metal-insulator layers with differing structural dimensions, three closely positioned resonant peaks are merged into one broadband absorption spectrum. Greater than 60% absorption is obtained across a frequency range of 1.86 THz where the central resonance frequency is 5 THz. The FWHM of the device is 48%, which is two and half times greater than the FWHM of a single layer structure. Such metamaterials are promising candidates as absorbing elements for bolometric terahertz imaging.

Design principles for infrared wide-angle perfect absorber based on plasmonic structure

An approach for designing a wide-angle perfect absorber at infrared frequencies is proposed. The technique is based on a perfectly impedance-matched sheet (PIMS) formed by plasmonic nanostructure. It is shown that the effective impedance is more physical meaningful and beneficial than effective medium in describing the electromagnetic properties of metamaterial absorber. As a specific implementation of this technique, a wide-angle polarization-independent dual-band absorber is numerically demonstrated at frequencies of 100THz and 280THz with absorption close to 100% simultaneously. Circuit models are utilized to describe the impedance property of localized plasmon modes and the results show good agreement with that retrieved from reflection coefficient at normal incidence.

Polarization-independent dual-band infrared perfect absorber based on a metal-dielectric-metal elliptical nanodisk array

We have designed and fabricated a dual-band plasmonic absorber in the near-infrared by employing a three-layer structure comprised of an elliptical nanodisk array on top of thin dielectric and metallic films. finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations indicate that absorption efficiencies greater than 99% can be achieved for both resonance frequencies at normal incidence and the tunable range of the resonant frequency was modeled up to 700 nm by varying the dimensions of the three-layer, elliptical nanodisk array. The symmetry in our two-dimensional nanodisk array eliminates any polarization dependence within the structure, and the near-perfect absorption efficiency is only slightly affected by large incidence angles up to 50 degrees. Experimental measurements demonstrate good agreement with our simulation results.