Ultra-narrowband absorption filter based on a multilayer waveguide structure

We propose a six-layer waveguide structure embedded in a single-layer grating based on guided-mode resonance (GMR), which can realize ultra-narrowband filtering with a tunable resonance wavelength. The filtering characteristics were analyzed and calculated by rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) and COMSOL Multiphysics. The narrowband resonance wavelength and absorption are tuned by changing the geometry and physical parameters of the structure such as the grating period and width, layer thickness, and materials. We designed and calculated the full width at half maximum (FWHM) and resonance absorption spectra in detail under different polarization states of electromagnetic waves. We obtained an absorption FWHM of 8.51e-5 nm for the transverse electric (TE) mode and 0.023 nm for the transverse magnetic (TM) mode, with the absorption coefficients having a value over 99.2%. The GMR filtering structure shows a good sensitivity and figure of merit (FOM) for refractive index sensing. For instance, a very high FOM of 17782.6/RIU for TM incidence is observed. These structures can have possible applications in optical information devices and sensors. © 2021 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement