Work

A high-performance nickel–quartz metamaterial absorber for broadband solar energy harvesting from ultraviolet to infrared frequencies

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The exploitation of renewable energy resources, such as solar energy, is increasingly recognized as an effective strategy to deal with environmental pollution and energy shortage. This study aims to design and numerically investigate a nickel–quartz–nickel metal–dielectric–metal (MDM) metamaterial absorber that delivers high, angularly and polarization-stable absorption continuously across the ultraviolet-to-infrared range, for application in broadband solar energy harvesting. The proposed absorber is formed of a nickel ground plane, a quartz dielectric substrate, and a patterned nickel layer on top with beveled corners and cross-shaped slots. Electromagnetic simulations reveal high absorption exceeding 89% over a wide 10–4500 THz range, with negligible transmission and low reflection. The absorber maintains polarization and angular stability up to 60° due to its symmetric, multi-resonant geometry. Comparative studies identify nickel and quartz as optimal materials for efficient plasmonic coupling and impedance matching. Field distribution analyses confirm strong localized resonances and near-field confinement, making this metamaterial highly suitable for solar energy harvesting, infrared detection, and advanced photonic devices.

Source: Next Materials

DOI: 10.1016/j.nxmate.2026.103335

Authors: Ismail El Finti, Saïd Douhi, Adil Eddiai

Institutions: University of Hassan II Casablanca, École Supérieure des Industries du Textile et de l'Habillement

Language: English

Topic: Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications

Subfield: Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,280