Effects of bending on the electro-optical properties of a wide-band silicon-carbon nanotube-based metamaterial absorber

Metamaterials possess superior material properties that make them popular in various applications. They are commonly used in energy, medical, and military fields. Metamaterial absorbers are introduced in order to utilize them in harvesting solar energy. In this article, a novel wide-band Silicon-Carbon Nanotube (Si-CNT) based metamaterial absorber is proposed, and the effects of mechanical loading on electro-optical properties are investigated. The study is conducted within the visible and ultraviolet frequency ranges (400–1200 THz). Concave and convex bending deformations are applied to the absorber within the mentioned frequency range. The results reveal that wide-band absorption rates are achieved for the proposed absorber with a minimum rate of 91.17 % at 400.3 THz. The proposed absorber is found to be polarization-independent and showed high absorption rates up to 45° incident angle within the mentioned frequency range. The absorption rates are observed to increase and shift due to bending deformations. The mechanical stresses formed are also predicted to be below the estimated yield strength, ensuring the structural integrity of the absorber.