We numerically and experimentally investigate graphene-based optical absorbers that exploit guided mode resonances (GMRs) achieving perfect absorption over a bandwidth of few nanometers (over the visible and near-infrared ranges) with a 40-fold incre
ase of the monolayer graphene absorption. We analyze the influence of the geometrical parameters on the absorption rate and the angular response for oblique incidence. Finally, we experimentally verify the theoretical predictions in a one-dimensional, dielectric grating and placing it near either a metallic or a dielectric mirror.
A one-dimensional dielectric grating, based on a simple geometry, is proposed and investigated to enhance light absorption in a monolayer graphene exploiting guided mode resonances. Numerical findings reveal that the optimized configuration is able t
o absorb up to 60% of the impinging light at normal incidence for both TE and TM polarizations resulting in a theoretical enhancement factor of about 26 with respect to the monolayer graphene absorption (about 2.3%). Experimental results confirm this behaviour showing CVD graphene absorbance peaks up to about 40% over narrow bands of few nanometers. The simple and flexible design paves the way for the realization of innovative, scalable and easy-to-fabricate graphene-based optical absorbers.
Perfect, narrow-band absorption is achieved in an asymmetric 1D photonic crystal with a monolayer graphene defect. Thanks to the large third order nonlinearity of graphene and field localization in the defect layer we demonstrate the possibility to a
chieve controllable, saturable absorption for the pump frequency.
We present a theoretical analysis of the effects of short range surface plasmon polariton excitation on sub-wavelength bridges in metal gratings. We show that localized resonances in thin metal bridges placed within the slit of a free-standing silver
grating dramatically modify transmission spectra and boost absorption regardless of the periodicity of the grating. Additionally, the interference of multiple localized resonances makes it possible to tailor the absorption properties of ultrathin gratings, regardless of the apertures geometrical size. This tunable, narrow-band, enhanced-absorption mechanism triggered by resonant, short range surface plasmon polaritons may also enhance nonlinear optical processes like harmonic generation, in view of the large third-order susceptibility of metals.
