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Simulation, Fabrication and Characterization of THz Metamaterial Absorbers
Published on: December 27, 2012
Wavelength-tunable microbolometers with metamaterial absorbers
1AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Donau-City-Strasse 1, 1220 Vienna, Austria. thomas.maier@ait.ac.at
Optics Letters
|October 2, 2009
Summary
Metallic resonant absorbers enhance microbolometer sensitivity at specific mid-infrared and terahertz wavelengths. This metamaterial modification allows for tunable spectral responses, improving thermal imaging systems.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Microbolometers are crucial for thermal imaging but often require enhanced sensitivity.
- Metamaterials offer unique optical properties for manipulating light absorption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer microbolometer response using metallic resonant absorbers.
- To achieve enhanced responsivity at selectable wavelengths for thermal imaging.
Main Methods:
- Designing and simulating square-shaped metal/dielectric/metal metamaterial stacks.
- Integrating metamaterials as resonant absorber elements onto microbolometer structures.
- Analyzing spectral resonances and absorption peaks through numerical simulations.
Main Results:
- Achieved spectral resonances between 4.8 and 7.0 micrometers.
- Demonstrated peak absorptions up to 0.8.
- Confirmed that metamaterial geometry dictates absorption characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Metamaterial-modified microbolometers exhibit enhanced responsivity.
- Tunable spectral absorption is achievable by engineering metamaterial geometry.
- These devices are suitable for multispectral thermal imaging in the mid-IR and terahertz ranges.
