A thin-film broadband perfect absorber based on plasmonic copper nanoparticles

Increasing the efficiency of solar thermal collectors is extremely important as they are essential for many applications, ranging from UV up to NIR spectral range, water heating systems micro-electromechanical systems. In this work, a plasmonic multilayer nanocomposite thin-film system that efficiently absorbs radiation across an extended range was simulated and experimentally tested. Novel our approach, copper nanoparticles in alumina matrix were chosen material. Compared other materials such gold or silver, more abundant economic. The provides high stability, good optical properties, corrosion protection. Using multiscale-modeling we inspect on computational grounds effect nanoparticle filling factor, angle incidence, thicknesses absorber performance. We found optimally designed device 90% light energy 200 nm 1800 nm. To validate simulations, two promising layouts realized. Their performance compares very well with simulations.