List All Projects List Graduate Projects List Senior Design Projects List REU Projects Other Undergraduate Projects
Project # 34
Single-Layer Resonant Reflectors: Metamaterial with High Reflectance for Both TM and TE Polarizations
| Team Lead: | Typhanne Vieira |
| Other Team Members: | |
| Faculty Advisor(s): | Robert Magnusson |
| Department: | EE |
| Project Type: | Other Undergraduate |
| Title: | Single-Layer Resonant Reflectors: Metamaterial with High Reflectance for Both TM and TE Polarizations |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the design of single-layer, one-dimensional (1D) resonant reflectors capable of achieving high reflectance for both Transverse Electric (TE) and Transverse Magnetic (TM) polarizations. While 1D periodic structures are intrinsically polarization-dependent due to their geometric asymmetry, this work explores whether careful engineering of Guided-Mode Resonance (GMR) structures can overcome this limitation. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) was combined with the Rigorous Modal solver (RM) using electromagnetic simulations to analyze different structures and materials, resulting in a germanium (Ge) grating on a potassium bromide (KBr) substrate optimized for broadband, polarization-independent reflectance. A two-stage optimization strategy was implemented by first maximizing TE reflectance across a broad bandwidth, then refining parameters to enhance TM performance and increase spectral overlap. The optimized structure demonstrates reflectance peaks approaching 100% for both polarizations near 7.8 μm, with reflectance exceeding 80% across a substantial bandwidth from approximately 8 to 11.5 μm. These results confirm strong coupling to quasi-guided modes and considerable overlap between TE and TM resonances. The findings challenge the conventional assumption that 1D periodic structures are inherently polarization-dependent and demonstrate that single-layer designs can achieve broadband, high-reflectance performance for both principal polarization states. |
| Poster: | View Poster #34 (PDF) |
| Judges Scoring: | Submit Evaluation (judges only) |