Broadband nanowire-grid polarizers in ultraviolet-visible near-infrared regions

Broadband nanowire- grid polarizers were designed and numerically simulated using the finite difference time domain ( FDTD) method. Using a broadband stimulation source, optical properties of the polarizers were analyzed in the ultraviolet ( UV)- visible- near infrared ( NIR) regions. Specifically, the extinction ratios and optical transmittances of transverse magnetic ( TM) and transverse electric ( TE) modes were characterized for different metal materials and geometrical parameters including wire- grid periods, metal- wire fill ratios, and spacing between wire- grid layers. Based on the simulation results, an extra broadband polarizer with an average extinction ratio higher than 70 dB and transmission efficiency over 64% in the range of 0.3 to 5 mu m was proposed. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America.