Near-perfect optical mirrors based on thin all-dielectric zero index metamaterial coatings

A new all-dielectric metamaterial design methodology based on effective medium theory is proposed for perfect optical mirrors. The optical metamaterial parameters required to obtain a high reflection are derived. A robust genetic algorithm technique is then employed to evolve the optimal design for an optical mirror targeting near-perfect reflection at 3.3 μm (3.5 μm with substrate loading effects included). The as-designed optical mirror was also fabricated and characterized, yielding excellent agreement between simulated and measured results.