Abstract

Harnessing infrared absorption is crucial for the operation of detectors pertinent to medical imaging applications, and optically-based bio-detection platforms. Current research efforts in this direction involve metamaterial structures with effective constituent properties that facilitate a near-perfect impedance-matching with the impinging wave [1]. These typically lead to narrowband platforms, involving complex fabrication processes with performance that is limited by fabrication imperfections [1]. Other approaches adopted in the past were metallic photonic crystals [2]. These also have a limited bandwidth, and are restricted by the small skin depth at infrared wavelengths requiring very thick structures for a good absorption performance. Here we propose an alternative recipe to harness absorption within the restrahlen regime.

© 2013 IEEE