Narrowband Perfect Absorber using Metamaterials

Current bolometers are broadband detectors and tend to absorb broad IR spectrum for thermal imaging. A key issue with these systems is the lack of sensitivity of the sensors in target detection due to blackbody radiation limit. As a result, one of the many important applications such as low concentration chemical detection cannot be performed. A solution to this problem is to employ cryogenic systems where the sensors are cooled either thermoelectrically or with liquid nitrogen which can lead to higher sensitivity in detection. However, one major drawback of these systems is the size, weight and power (SWaP) issue as they tend to be rather bulky and cumbersome which have largely challenged their use in UAV"s.