Wide-angle polarization independent infrared broadband absorbers based on metallic multi-sized disk arrays

Two-dimensional metallic broadband absorbers on a SiO2/Ag/Si substrate were experimentally studied. The absorptivity of such structure can be increased by tailoring the ratio of disk size to the unit cell area. The metallic disk exhibits a localized surface plasmon polariton (LSPP) mode for both TE and TM polarizations. A broadband thermal emitter can be realized because the LSPP mode is independent of the periodicities. By manipulating the ratios and disk sizes, a high-performance, wide-angle, polarization-independent dual band absorber was experimentally achieved. The results demonstrated a substantial flexibility in absorber designs for applications in thermal photovoltaics, sensors, and camouflage. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America