Journal
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
Volume 105, Issue 5, Pages -Publisher
AMER PHYSICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.053901
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Funding
- NSF [DMR-0808937, DMR-0908437]
- Yale NSF-MRSEC [DMR-0520495]
- Division Of Materials Research
- Direct For Mathematical & Physical Scien [908437] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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We show that an arbitrary body or aggregate can be made perfectly absorbing at discrete frequencies if a precise amount of dissipation is added under specific conditions of coherent monochromatic illumination. This effect arises from the interaction of optical absorption and wave interference and corresponds to moving a zero of the elastic S matrix onto the real wave vector axis. It is thus the time-reversed process of lasing at threshold. The effect is demonstrated in a simple Si slab geometry illuminated in the 500-900 nm range. Coherent perfect absorbers act as linear, absorptive interferometers, which may be useful as detectors, transducers, and switches.
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