Design of a Wideband Metamaterial Absorber for the Solar Spectrum in the Visible Regime

An ultrathin metamaterial absorber is suggested in this work for visible solar radiation entrapment, using 3 layers of materials (Tungsten-Rexolite-Tungsten). A near-unity wideband absorbance is observed within all the visible wavelengths (380-750 nm). The Finite Integration technique is implemented for analyzing the absorber. The mean absorption is 97.01% in the respective visible regime. The resonant wavelength is 497.9 nm corresponding to a peak absorption of 99.96%. The performance of the structure is analyzed for different oblique incident angles as well as mechanical loading for implementation in a realistic solar energy harvesting scenario. The findings of the study indicate a wide-angle stability of the structure (up to 70°) and mechanical flexibility without facing a substantial decrease in absorbance.