A multifunctional switchable terahertz (THz) absorber based on graphene and vanadium dioxide (VO2) is presented. The properties of the absorber are studied theoretically by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The results illustrate that the structure switches between the single-broadband or double-broadband absorption depending on the temperature of VO2. Moreover, the amplitude of the absorptivity can be adjusted by changing the Fermi energy level (EF) of graphene or the conductivity of VO2 separately. Via impedance matching theory, the physical mechanism of the absorber is researched. Furthermore, the effects of incidence angle on absorption have also been studied. It is found that the absorber is insensitive to the polarization of electromagnetic waves.
Keywords: absorption; graphene; impedance matching; terahertz; vanadium dioxide.