Graphene pixel-based polarization-insensitive metasurface for almost perfect and wideband terahertz absorption

Absorption of terahertz waves by a metasurface comprising a biperiodic array of pixellated meta-atoms on top of a dielectric substrate backed by a perfect electric conductor was simulated using commercial software, with either all or a few of the pixels in every meta-atom patched with graphene. Absorptances as high as 0.99 over a 1.16-THz-wide spectral regime for normal incidence were found for a metasurface comprising meta-atoms with only a few pixels patched with graphene, regardless of the polarization state. In comparison to metasurface absorbers comprising two graphene layers separated by an insulator mounted on a metal-backed substrate, graphene need was thereby reduced by two-thirds. The number and dimensions of the pixels in a meta-atom can be altered to fit spectral requirements. (C) 2019 Optical Society of America