Broadband nanowire-grid polarizers in ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared regions

Abstract

Broadband nanowire-grid polarizers were designed and numerically simulated using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. Using a broadband stimulation source, optical properties of the polarizers were analyzed in the ultraviolet (UV)-visible-near infrared (NIR) regions. Specifically, the extinction ratios and optical transmittances of transverse magnetic (TM) and transverse electric (TE) modes were characterized for different metal materials and geometrical parameters including wire-grid periods, metal-wire fill ratios, and spacing between wire-grid layers. Based on the simulation results, an extra broadband polarizer with an average extinction ratio higher than 70 dB and transmission efficiency over 64% in the range of 0.3 to 5 mum was proposed.