Polarization-dependent broadband absorber based on composite metamaterials in the long-wavelength infrared range

Capturing polarization information has long been an important topic in the field of detection. In this study, two polarization-dependent broadband absorbers based on a composite metamaterial structure were designed and numerically investigated. Unlike in conventional metamaterial absorbers, the bottom metallic film is functionalized to achieve a polarization response or broadband absorption. The simulation results show that the type I absorber exhibits TM polarization-dependent broadband absorption (absorptivity>80%) from 8.37 µm to 12.12 µm. In contrast, the type II absorber presents TE polarization-dependent broadband absorption (absorptivity>80%) from 8.23 µm to 11.93 µm. These devices are extremely sensitive to the change of polarization angle. The absorptivity changes monotonically with an increase of the polarization angle, but it is insensitive to oblique incidence. This design paves the way for realizing broadband polarization-dependent absorption via a simple configuration. It has bright prospects in thermal detection applications and imaging fields.