Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Simulation, Fabrication and Characterization of THz Metamaterial Absorbers
Published on: December 27, 2012
Broadband infrared metamaterial absorber with visible transparency using ITO as ground plane
Abstract:
Metamaterials that have broadband absorption at MIR frequencies, and yet, are transmitive at visible frequencies are fabricated using a semi-conducting Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) film as ground plane. The metamaterial absorber consists of an array of uniform aluminum disks separated by a Zinc Sulphide (ZnS) dielectric spacer layer from the ITO ground plane. The metamaterial was fabricated by a simple, cost-effective vapor deposition through a shadow mask. Compared with the usual metal/dielectric/metal tri-layer absorbers, the metal/dielectric/ITO absorber shows a peak absorbance of 98% and >70% over the mid-infrared regime from 4 to 7 μm. The broadband nature arises due to smaller dispersion in the dielectric permittivity of ITO compared to that of plasmonic metals at mid-infrared frequencies.
Related Concept Videos
Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) Infrared Spectroscopy: Overview
The ATR process begins by directing a beam...
IR Spectrum
Transmittance is defined as the ratio of the radiant power passing through a sample to that from the radiation's source. Multiplying the transmittance by 100 gives the percent transmittance (%T), which varies between 100% (no absorption) and 0%...
Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy
Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy: Overview
Different compounds display unique properties due to their...
Absorption of Radiation
IR Spectrometers

