Nanostructured Broad Band Infrared Absorber

ABSTRACTWe describe a near perfect broad band absorber based on a laterally nanostructured multilayer material. We present calculations of the structure that demonstrates over 99% absorption of the 500 K black body spectrum. We also show the ability to manufacture an anti-reflective layer using a nanostructured metamaterial which allows us to tailor the index of refraction using effective medium theory. The absorber can be adapted for use in any frequency range and any source type. These materials may have applications in energy harvesting and scattered light control.