Angle-insensitive narrowband optical absorption based on high-Q localized resonance

Abstract

Strong optical absorption can be achieved easily based on an array of subwavelength localized resonators. The absorption bandwidth is typically wide since subwavelength metallic resonators are limited by a low quality factor (Q) due to their large material loss and so do dielectric counterparts owing to their weak photon binding. Here, an angle-insensitive narrowband optical absorber is suggested, which consists of subwavelength dielectric cavities buried inside a metal. Within each cavity, a special resonant mode of high Q can be supported, which is absorbed slowly by the metal walls as the electric field is concentrated at the cavity center and leaks slowly into the free space due to the blocking of the top metal film covering the cavities. Such a mode is excited to trap the incident wave in the optical absorption. When low-loss silver is used, one can obtain ultra-narrowband absorption with Q up to 487. At lower optical frequencies, the metal film needs to be punctured so that the incident wave can couple into the cavities effectively. The suggested absorption method may find its promising prospect in thermal radiation, photonic detection, optical sensing, and so on.