Spatial and frequency-selective optical field coupling absorption in an ultra-thin random metasurface

Abstract

Simplified thin-film structures with the capability of spatial and frequency-selective optical field coupling and absorption are desirable for nanophotonics. Herein, we demonstrate the configuration of a 200-nm-thick random metasurface formed by refractory metal nanoresonators, showing near-unity absorption (absorptivity > 90%) covering the visible and near-infrared range (0.380–1.167 µm). Importantly, the resonant optical field is observed to be concentrated in different spatial areas according to different frequencies, paving a feasible way to artificially manipulate spatial coupling and optical absorption via the spectral frequency. The methods and conclusions derived in this work are applicable throughout a wide energy range and hold applications for frequency-selective nanoscale optical field manipulation.