Electrically controllable terahertz square-loop metamaterial based on VO₂ thin film

Theoretical research on a broadband terahertz absorber for thermally controlled radiation emission based on the epsilon-near-zero mode

In this paper, a tunable and ultra-broadband terahertz (THz) absorber is proposed. The absorber, which is built upon the conventional metal-dielectric-metal tri-layer configuration, incorporates a KCl thin film within the dielectric gap situated between the top resonator and the middle dielectric layer. The simulation indicates that the absorber effectively captures more than 90% of terahertz waves between 3.6 and 7.3 THz, achieving absorption of over 99% within the 5.8-6.9 THz range. This unique broadband absorber is enabled by the interaction of plasmon and epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) modes. Additionally, due to the utilization of VO2 in the top resonator, the designed absorber holds potential to function as a thermally controlled radiation emitter, exhibiting a high emissivity of 90.5% at high temperatures while maintaining a low emissivity of 8.2% at low temperatures. The absorber is uncomplicated and adjustable, offering great potential for use in thermal management, terahertz camouflage, and engineering insulation.

Design of terahertz metamaterial absorbers with switchable absorption functions utilizing thermal and electrical dual-modulation strategies

This work demonstrates a dual-functional tunable terahertz metamaterial absorber based on thermally controllable vanadium dioxide (VO2) and electrically tunable graphene. The switchable absorption functions could be obtained in the same metamaterial, which consists of alternating stacked cross-cut graphene disks (CGDs) and VO2 square rings (VSRs) separated by an ultra-thin dielectric film placed on a continuous gold mirror. The metallic state of VSRs is the dominant factor for the broadband absorption function, resulting in a broadband absorption of 4.746 THz. Based on this, the Fermi energy level of CGDs increases to 0.7 eV, which could broaden the absorption bandwidth to 5.398 THz. When the VSRs are in the insulating state, CGDs dominate the absorption, and the suggested device switches to the dual-band absorption function. These two absorption peaks appear to be larger than 97% and their frequencies could be dynamically controlled by the Fermi energy level of CGDs. In addition to the excellent absorption characteristics of dynamic switching of two different functions, polarization insensitivity and large-angle tolerance are also advantages of this work, which could provide new insights and guidance for the study of dynamically tunable metamaterial absorbers.

Switchable bi-functional metasurface for absorption and broadband polarization conversion in terahertz band using vanadium dioxide and photosensitive silicon

We proposed a bi-functional switchable metasurface based on vanadium dioxide (VO2) and photosensitive silicon. The metasurface functions as a transmissive polarization converter in its insulating state with asymmetric transmission characteristics. It attains a remarkable polarization conversion rate (PCR) surpassing 90% and a notable maximum asymmetric transmission (AT) parameter value of 0.73. This performance is observed within the frequency range from 4.31 to 7.86 THz. Dynamic regulation of PCR and AT can be achieved by adjusting the conductivity of photosensitive silicon. To illustrate the underlying factor behind the broadband polarization conversion, the surface current distribution is analyzed at 5.96 THz and 6.08 THz. On the other hand, when VO2is in the metallic state, the metasurface transforms into a bidirectional absorber with near-perfect absorption in both illumination directions. Under forward incidence of terahertz waves, the absorption rates for the transverse electric and transverse magnetic waves are 99.3% at 3.54 THz and 93% at 3.56 THz, respectively. The physical mechanism of near-perfect absorption is explained using impedance matching theory and the electric field distribution. This research expands the applications of transmissive polarization converters within multifunctional metasurfaces, providing new avenues for their practical implementation.

Multifunctional analysis and verification of lightning-type electromagnetic metasurfaces

Aiming at the problems that most of the existing electromagnetic metasurfaces have single function and narrow application scope, a highly integrated lightning-type metasurface is proposed in this study. It can realize the functions of circular dichroism (CD), absorption of electromagnetic waves, broadband x-to-y cross polarization conversion (CPC) function, linear-to-circular polarization conversion (LTC-PC) function and asymmetric transmission (AT), and its functions are also analyzed and verified. The designed metasurface consists of the bottom grating structure, the lower SiO₂, the middle lightning-type graphene, the upper SiO₂, the top graphene and photosensitive silicon. Through numerical calculations, the CD of design can reach more than 85% at 4.22 THz. The function of bimodal absorption is achieved at 4.09 and 8.69 THz. At 7.41∼8.21 THz, the polarization conversion ratio (PCR) of the metasurface reaches more than 99%. Simultaneously, the function of LTC-PC can be formed when PCR is 50%. Finally, when the designed metasurface is in the transmissive state, the AT of design is close to 60% at 7.84 THz. This design provides a new design idea and method for biomedical detection, image processing, modulators, smart switches, optical diodes and other fields.

A Band-Switchable and Tunable THz Metamaterial Based on an Etched Vanadium Dioxide Thin Film

A band-switchable and tunable terahertz (THz) metamaterial based on a vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin film was proposed in the THz frequency regime. The VO2 thin film with a high conductivity change rate and smooth phase transition characteristics was deposited. To obtain band switching characteristics and reduce THz wave loss, the VO2 thin film was etched in the form of a line. Two rectangular C-shaped resonators were configured to face each other, with an etched VO2 thin film line in between. When the VO2 thin film was in the insulator phase, the two resonators individually resonated, and when the VO2 thin film was in the metal phase, they were connected and resonated as one, showing band switching characteristics. According to the state of the VO2 thin film, the fabricated metamaterial resonated at 1.29 THz when the two resonators were electrically separated and resonated at 0.65 THz when the two resonators were electrically connected. In the band-switching process, the THz wave transmission characteristics were continuously tunable. The measurement results of the proposed structure clearly showed that the rectangular C-shaped metamaterial based on the etched VO2 thin film is capable of band switching and continuous transmission control. In the near future, band-switchable and tunable THz metamaterials based on etched VO2 thin films can be employed as key devices in THz wave 6G wireless communication technology.

Terahertz Metamaterial Modulator Based on Phase Change Material VO2

In this paper, a new type of terahertz (THz) metamaterial (MM) modulator has been presented with bifunctional properties based on vanadium dioxide (VO2). The design consists of a VO2 resonator, polyimide substrate, frequency selective surface (FSS) layer, and VO2 film. Based on the metal-insulator transition (MIT) of VO2, this structure integrated with VO2 material can achieve the dynamic modulation on both transmission and reflection waves at 2.5 THz by varying the electrical conductivity value of VO2. Meanwhile, it also exhibits adjustable absorption performance across the whole band from 0.5–7 THz. At the lower conductivity (σ = 25 S/m), this structure can act as a bandpass FSS, and, at the high conductivity (σ = 2 × 105 S/m), it behaves like a wideband absorber covering 2.52–6.06 THz with absorption A > 0.9, which realizes asymmetric transmission. The surface electric field distributions are illustrated to provide some insight into the physical mechanism of dynamic modulation. From the simulated results, it can be observed that this design has the capability of controlling tunable manipulation on both transmission/reflection responses at a wide frequency band. This proposed design may pave a novel pathway towards thermal imaging, terahertz detection, active modulators, etc.

Dynamic control of THz polarization modulation and multi-channel beam generation using a programmable metasurface

Polarization modulation and multichannel beam generation are crucial in multichannel communication and high-resolution imaging at THz frequency. In this work, we present a polarization-reprogrammable coding metasurface composed of VO₂/Au composite concentric rings (CCRs). Owing to the phase-change property of VO₂, the CCR is designed as a digital coding element for the polarization conversion. When VO₂ remains insulator state at room temperature, the y-polarized incident wave is transformed into x-polarized wave, which can be regarded as digital state 0. When VO₂ converts into metal state at critical temperature (68 °C), the polarization of reflected wave stays unchanged, corresponding to digital state 1. Any desired linear polarization state of reflected beam is achieved by taking advantage of different coding sequences in a programmable manner. Furthermore, by combining phase gradient with polarization coding states, we propose an anisotropic programmable metasurface to control the multi-channel reflected beams dynamically. By arranging distinct coding sequences, we show that the EM reflected beams can be manipulated flexibly. The proposed programmable metasurface paves new ways towards THz polarization manipulation, signal detection and information communication.

Dynamic Manipulation of THz Waves Enabled by Phase-Transition VO2 Thin Film

The reversible and multi-stimuli responsive insulator-metal transition of VO2, which enables dynamic modulation over the terahertz (THz) regime, has attracted plenty of attention for its potential applications in versatile active THz devices. Moreover, the investigation into the growth mechanism of VO2 films has led to improved film processing, more capable modulation and enhanced device compatibility into diverse THz applications. THz devices with VO2 as the key components exhibit remarkable response to external stimuli, which is not only applicable in THz modulators but also in rewritable optical memories by virtue of the intrinsic hysteresis behaviour of VO2. Depending on the predesigned device structure, the insulator-metal transition (IMT) of VO2 component can be controlled through thermal, electrical or optical methods. Recent research has paid special attention to the ultrafast modulation phenomenon observed in the photoinduced IMT, enabled by an intense femtosecond laser (fs laser) which supports "quasi-simultaneous" IMT within 1 ps. This progress report reviews the current state of the field, focusing on the material nature that gives rise to the modulation-allowed IMT for THz applications. An overview is presented of numerous IMT stimuli approaches with special emphasis on the underlying physical mechanisms. Subsequently, active manipulation of THz waves through pure VO2 film and VO2 hybrid metamaterials is surveyed, highlighting that VO2 can provide active modulation for a wide variety of applications. Finally, the common characteristics and future development directions of VO2-based tuneable THz devices are discussed.

Broadband terahertz absorber with a flexible, reconfigurable performance based on hybrid-patterned vanadium dioxide metasurfaces

An actively tunable broadband terahertz absorber is numerically demonstrated, which consists of four identical vanadium dioxide (VO₂) square loops and a metal ground plane separated by a dielectric spacer. Simulation results show that an excellent absorption bandwidth of 90% terahertz absorptance reaches as wide as 2.45 THz from 1.85 to 4.3 THz under normal incidence. By changing the conductivity of VO₂, an approximately perfect amplitude modulation is realized with the absorptance dynamically tuned from 4% to 100%. This absorption performance is greatly improved compared with previously reported VO₂-based absorbers. The physical mechanisms of a single absorption band and the perfect absorption are elucidated by the wave-interference theory and the impedance matching theory, respectively. Field distributions are further discussed to explore the physical origin of this absorber. In addition, it also has the advantages of polarization insensitivity and wide-angle absorption. The proposed absorber may have many promising applications in the terahertz range such as modulator, sensor, cloaking and optic-electro switches.

Ultrafast reprogrammable multifunctional vanadium-dioxide-assisted metasurface for dynamic THz wavefront engineering

In this paper, for the first time, a new generation of ultrafast reprogrammable multi-mission bias encoded metasurface is proposed for dynamic terahertz wavefront engineering by employing VO2 reversible and fast monoclinic to tetragonal phase transition. The multi-functionality of our designed VO2 based coding metasurface (VBCM) was guaranteed by elaborately designed meta-atom comprising three-patterned VO2 thin films whose operational statuses can be dynamically tuned among four states of "00"-"11" by merely changing the biasing voltage controlled by an external Field-programmable gate array platform. Capitalizing on such meta-atom design and by driving VBCM with different spiral-like and spiral-parabola-like coding sequences, single vortex beam and focused vortex beam with interchangeable orbital angular momentum modes were satisfactorily generated respectively. Additionally, by adopting superposition theorem and convolution operation, symmetric/asymmetric multiple beams and arbitrarily-oriented multiple vortex beams in pre-demined directions with different topological charges are realized. Several illustrative examples successfully have clarified that the proposed VBCM is a promising candidate for solving crucial terahertz challenges such as high data rate wireless communication where ultrafast switching between several missions is required.

Active controllable dual broadband terahertz absorber based on hybrid metamaterials with vanadium dioxide

In this paper, we present an active controllable terahertz absorber with dual broadband characteristics, comprised by two diagonal identical patterns of vanadium dioxide in the top layer of the classical three-layer structure of metamaterial perfect absorbers. Simulation results show that two bandwidths of 80% absorption are 0.88 THz and 0.77 THz from 0.56 to 1.44 THz and 2.88 to 3.65 THz, respectively. By using thermal control to change the conductivity of the vanadium dioxide, absorptance can be continuously adjusted from 20% to 90%. The impedance matching theory is introduced to analyze and elucidate the physical mechanism of the perfect absorption. Field analyses are further investigated to get more insight into the physical origin of the dual broadband absorption. In addition, incident polarization insensitivity and wide-angle absorption are also demonstrated. The proposed absorber promises diverse applications in terahertz regime, such as imaging, modulating, sensing and cloaking.

Switchable multifunctional terahertz metasurfaces employing vanadium dioxide

In this paper, we design a type of switchable metasurfaces by employing vanadium dioxide (VO₂), which possess tunable and diversified functionalities in the terahertz (THz) frequencies. The properly designed homogeneous metasurface can be dynamically tuned from a broadband absorber to a reflecting surface due to the insulator-to-metal transition of VO₂. When VO₂ is in its insulating state, the metasurface can efficiently absorb the normally incident THz wave in the frequency range of 0.535-1.3 THz with the average absorption of ~97.2%. Once the VO₂ is heated up and switched to its fully metallic state, the designed metasurface exhibits broadband and efficient reflection (>80%) in the frequency range from 0.5 to 1.3 THz. Capitalizing on such meta-atom design, we further extend the functionalities by introducing phase-gradients when VO₂ is in its fully metallic state and consequently achieve polarization-insensitive beam-steering and polarization-splitting, while maintaining broadband absorption when VO₂ is in insulating state.

Electrically controllable THz asymmetric split-loop resonator with an outer square loop based on VO2

In this paper, we propose an asymmetric split-loop resonator with an outer square loop (ASLR-OSL) based on vanadium dioxide (VO₂) which can actively control the transmission characteristics of a terahertz wave while maintaining a high quality factor of the asymmetric split-loop resonator (ASLR) by adding an outer square loop. The proposed ASLR-OSL demonstrated transmission characteristics similar to those of ASLR, and the transmission characteristics of ASLR-OSL were successfully controlled by directly applying a bias voltage. These results show a simple method for imposing active properties on a common metamaterial having a high quality factor by adding a loop structure.

Microwave Tunable Metamaterial Based on Semiconductor-to-Metal Phase Transition

A microwave tunable metamaterial utilizing the semiconductor-to-metal transition of vanadium dioxide (VO₂) is proposed, experimentally demonstrated and theoretically scrutinized. Basic concept of the design involves the combination of temperature-dependent hysteresis in VO₂ with resonance induced heating, resulting in a nonlinear response to power input. A lithographically prepared gold split-rings resonator (SRR) array deposited with VO₂ thin film is fabricated. Transmission spectra analysis shows a clear manifestation of nonlinearity, involving power-dependence of resonant frequency as well as transmitted intensity at both elevated and room temperature. Simulation performed with CST Microwave Studio conforms with the findings. The concept may find applications in transmission modulation and frequency tuning devices working under microwave frequency bands.