Engineering band selective absorption with epsilon-near-zero media in the infrared

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a tri-layer ENZ-based coating that achieves wide-angle, band-selective infrared absorption and emission, with potential applications in thermal management and energy harvesting.

Contribution

It introduces a novel ENZ nanostructured grating design that enables tunable, high absorption in the infrared spectrum, combining numerical and experimental validation.

Findings

Achieves >0.8 absorption in 1800-2800 nm range at wide angles

Demonstrates tunability of absorption bandwidth via ENZ and plasmon resonances

Validates design through both simulations and thermal imaging experiments

Abstract

Band-selective absorption and emission of thermal radiation in the infrared are of interest due to applications in emissivity coatings, infrared sensing, thermo-photovoltaics and solar energy harvesting. The broadband nature of thermal radiation presents distinct challenges in achieving spectral and angular selectivity, which are difficult to address by prevalent optical strategies, often yielding restrictive responses. We explore a tri-layer coating employing a nanostructured grating of epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) material, indium tin oxide (ITO), atop a dielectric (silicon dioxide) and metal (gold) underlayer, which shows wide-angle (0-60 degrees) and band-selective (1800 - 2800 nm) high absorption (> 0.8). Numerical simulations and experimental results reveal that the ENZ response of ITO combined with its localized plasmon resonances define the high absorption bandwidth, aided by the sandwiched dielectric's optical properties, elucidating the tunability of the absorption bandwidth. Thermal imaging in the mid-infrared highlights the relevance of the ENZ grating, emphasizing the potential of this coating design as a thermal emitter. This study offers valuable insights into light-matter interactions and opens avenues for practical applications in thermal management and energy harvesting.