Theoretical model of homogeneous metal–insulator–metal perfect multi-band absorbers for the visible spectrum

We present a rigorous study of the perfect absorption properties of metal–insulator–metal (MIM) structures in the visible spectrum. We provide a derivation (based on the transfer matrix method) and analysis of the conditions for which the perfect absorption occurs. We show that these conditions are fulfilled when the incident wave excites the eigenmodes of the structure. The quantitative analysis allows us to design specific perfect absorbers for our needs. The analytical model is verified by rigorous simulations based on rigorous coupled wave analysis, which demonstrate also the angle and polarization insensitivity of the absorption properties of such a structure. Employing the MIM approach and results, we also investigate and demonstrate multiple perfect absorption bands and broad-band absorption in properly designed multilayer metal-insulator systems.