Ultrahigh omnidirectional, broadband, and polarization-independent optical absorption over the visible wavelengths by effective dispersion engineering.

ABSTRACT: Achieving perfect light absorption at a subwavelength-scale thickness has various advantageous in terms of cost, flexibility, weight, and performance for many different applications. However, obtaining perfect absorbers covering a wide range of wavelengths regardless of incident angle and input polarization without a complicated patterning process while maintaining a small thickness remains a challenge. In this paper, we demonstrate flat, lithography-free, ultrahigh omnidirectional, polarization-independent, broadband absorbers through effective dispersion engineering. The proposed absorbers show day-integrated solar energy absorption up to 96%, which is 32% better than with lossy semiconductor/metal absorbers. The proposed simple yet effective method can be applied to light absorption thin film structures based on various types of highly lossy semiconductor materials, including emerging 2D materials.

SUBMITTER: Jin Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6614405 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature