An improved fishnet three-dimensional metamaterial with multiband left-handed characteristics at terahertz frequencies

We present the design of a multiband left-handed three-dimensional (3D) metamaterial based on improved fishnet structure at terahertz frequencies. The design realizes a three-dimensional material by mechanical stacking of multiple layers. The electromagnetic properties of the metamaterial have been investigated by numerical simulation. The results show that simultaneously negative values of permittivity, permeability and refractive index are found around the frequencies of 0.73, 0.85 and 1.12 THz for the electromagnetic wave normal incidence. The proposed metamaterial with independent polarization and compact effect offers a way to develop THz 3D materials and devices suitable for multifrequencies.     

Multi-band terahertz two-handed metamaterial based on the combined ring and cross pairs

We present the design of a Multiband two-handed metamaterial (MM) with the composite structure combined ring and cross pairs (RP + CP) in the terahertz regime. The dual-band left-handed and single-band right-handed transmission properties of this composite structure were explored by the FDTD method. The MM exhibits left-handed and right-handed transmission pass bands around the frequencies of 0.43 THz, 1.32 THz and 0.85 THz for the terahertz electromagnetic (EM) wave normal incidence, respectively. The surface currents distributions are demonstrated to discuss the physical mechanism of the left-handed properties of the proposed MM. The retrieved equivalent EM parameters and the refraction phenomenon based on a wedge-shaped model verify the left-handed properties. Furthermore, the dual-band left-handed transmission properties of RP + CP structure can be tunable individually by changing the structural parameters. The presented design of terahertz two-handed MM offers a flexibility for investigation of their novel EM properties, and important terahertz device applications.     

基于圆台结构的超宽带极化不敏感太赫兹吸收器

本文提出一种基于圆台形吸收单元的超宽带、极化不敏感的超材料太赫兹吸收器. 该超材料吸收器采用金属薄膜金和介质层二氧化硅交替叠加的多层结构. 采用商业软件CST Studio Suite 2009时域求解器计算了其在0–10 THz波段内的吸收率A（ω）,在2–10 THz之间实现了对入射太赫兹波的超宽频带强吸收. 仿真结果表明,由于其圆台形单元结构,在器件垂直方向上形成一系列不同尺寸的微型吸收器,产生了吸收频点相连的多频吸收峰. 利用不同吸收峰的耦合叠加效应,获得超过8 THz的超宽带太赫兹波吸收,吸收强度达到92.3%以上. 这一结构具有超宽带强吸收,360°极化不敏感以及易于加工等优越特性,因而在太赫兹波探测器、光谱成像以及隐身技术方面具有潜在的应用. 关键词： 太赫兹波 超材料吸收器 圆台结构 超宽带     

Experimental verification of negative refraction in a double cross metamaterial

We report on microwave experiments with a metamaterial composed of pairs of metallic crosses. The transmission properties of the structure show a left-handed transmission band at frequencies around 10.2 GHz. The validity of the negative effective index of refraction is verified by a Snell’s law refraction experiment performed on a wedge-shaped sample of the metamaterial. A second measurement of a similar wedge made from blank FR4 boards is done for reference. The results of the measurements show positive refraction over the whole measured frequency band for the FR4 wedge as well as the refraction of the incident radiation to negative angles within the designated left-handed frequency band for the metamaterial sample.     

Planar terahertz metamaterial with three-resonant frequencies

In this paper, we study a three-resonant metamaterial with the combination of dual-resonant and single-resonant metamaterials. We present a new method to design multi-resonant metamaterial, which has a smaller dimension than general symmetric and asymmetric multi-resonant metamaterials. Theoretical and experimental results show that the structure has three distinct absorption frequencies centering around 0.29 THz, 0.46 THz, and 0.92 THz, and that each of them corresponds to a different resonant mode. Due to the good separation of the different resonances, this design provides a unique and effective method to construct multiband terahertz devices.     

A simple design of ultra-broadband and polarization insensitive terahertz metamaterial absorber

Ultra-broadband metamaterial absorbers have attracted considerable attention due to their great prospect for practical applications. These absorbers are usually stacked by many (no. <20) different shaped or sized subunits in a unit cell, making it quite troublesome to be fabricated. Simple design for ultra-broadband absorber is urgently necessary. Herein, we propose a simple design of ultra-broadband and polarization insensitive terahertz metamaterial absorber based on a double-layered composite structure on a metallic board, and each layer consists of two sets of different sized square metallic plates. Greater than 90 % absorption is obtained across a frequency range of 0.85 THz with the central frequency around 1.60 THz. The relative absorption bandwidth of the device is greatly improved to 53.3 %, which is much larger than previous results. The mechanism of the ultra-broadband absorber is attributed to the overlapping of four closely resonance frequencies. The proposed metamaterial absorber has potential applications in detection, imaging and stealth technology.     

Numerical simulations of terahertz double-negative metamaterial with isotropic-like fishnet structure

The isotropic-like fishnet metamaterial with an array of cross-shaped holes penetrating through the multiple layers has been numerically studied in the terahertz regime. Its left-handed properties are described by the retrieved effect media parameters and validated by the simulation of a wedge-shaped model. The influences of the various geometrical parameters on the electromagnetic response and the left-handed performance are investigated. This isotropic-like fishnet metamaterial has the advantage of lower losses and higher transmission and holds potential for further applications at higher frequencies.     

Polarization-independent broadband terahertz chiral metamaterials on flexible substrate

A THz band-reject filter is designed based on chiral four-fold rotational symmetry metamaterial. This filter was fabricated by laser micro-lens array lithography and characterized by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. The resonant frequencies at different twist angles are almost the same, which demonstrates the polarization independence of the structure. The electric field distribution is simulated to explain the physics mechanism behind the polarization independence. By stacking multiple metamaterial layers together, a THz broadband reject filter at a bandwidth of 0.461 THz is experimentally achieved.     

基于双梯形金属条的二维超材料性能分析

提出了一种基于平行金属条和细金属线的双梯形二维超材料结构单元.该结构由介质板以及其两侧放置的一对反向对称梯形金属条组成.与传统二维超材料相比,该结构在电磁波平行入射时具有双左手频带特性,在电磁波双向入射情况下具有良好的左手频带拓展性,且结构易于制备.利用电磁仿真软件分别模拟电磁波垂直入射和平行入射条件下该结构的电磁性能.结果表明:该结构在两种入射情况下均能实现双负特性;梯形上底每增大0.5mm,双入射情况下结构的双负特性分别向高频移动0.2GHz和0.4GHz.该研究对基于平行金属条的左手材料的研究以及二维左手材料的发展具有参考价值.     

基于石墨烯编码超构材料的太赫兹波束多功能动态调控

提出了一种基于石墨烯带的太赫兹波段的1 bit编码超构材料,可以实现太赫兹波束的数目、频率、幅度等参数多功能动态调控.该结构由金属薄膜、聚酰亚胺、硅、二氧化硅、石墨烯带组成.通过对石墨烯带施加两种不同的电压,可以实现一定频率范围内相位差接近180?的"0"和"1"数字编码单元,进而构成1 bit动态可控的编码超构材料.全波仿真结果表明,不同序列的编码超构材料能够实现波束数目从单波束、双波束、多波束到宽波束的调控.相同序列的编码超构材料,通过施加石墨烯带的不同电压能够实现宽频段波束频率的偏移.对于000000或者111111周期序列的编码超构材料,通过施加石墨烯带的不同电压还能够实现波束幅度的调控.因此这种基于石墨烯带的编码超构材料为灵活调控太赫兹波提供了一种新的途径,将在雷达隐身、成像、宽带通信等方面具有重要的意义.     

Polarization-Independent Broadband Optical Regime Metamaterial Absorber for Solar Harvesting: A Numerical Approach

In this article, a broadband metamaterial (MTM) absorber is proposed that exhibits near-unity absorption in the terahertz regime. The proposed metamaterial absorber was initiated on a quartz (fused) substrate, whereas the resonator and backplane are constructed with tungsten. The resonator is designed with a square ring loaded with a face-to-face E structure at the center. It also consists of diagonally extended arrow-like shapes loaded from the corners and a concave-shaped structure extended from the middle of the square ring. Near-perfect absorption is observed at the frequencies of 465.2 THz, 585.2 THz, 648.8 THz, and 762.8 THz with absorption peaks of 99.8%, 99.9%, 99.92%, and 99.92%, respectively. Moreover, it exhibits broadband absorption properties above 90% absorption with bandwidths 20.4 THz, 80.8 THz, 41.6 THz, and 90 THz, respectively, at these resonance frequencies. Due to its symmetrical structure, it shows polarization-insensitivity behavior up to 90° with maximum absorption greater than 90% both in transverse (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes. It also exhibits insensitivity to changes of incident angle from 0°–45°. Metamaterial properties of the proposed absorber are also analyzed, showing single negative behavior. Absorber property has been examined through surface current and equivalent circuit electric and magnetic field analysis. The effect of the cross-polarization is negligible and is verified through simulation. Due to its large bandwidth, polarization-insensitive behavior, and low PCR, the proposed MTM absorber can be incorporated into photovoltaic devices as a solar-energy harvester.     

Photoexcited Blueshift and Redshift Switchable Metamaterial Absorber at Terahertz Frequencies

We propose a design and numerical study of an optically blueshift and redshift switchable metamaterial(MM)absorber in the terahertz regime. The MM absorber comprises a periodic array of metallic split-ring resonators(SRRs) with semiconductor silicon embedded in the gaps of MM resonators. The absorptive frequencies of the MM can be shifted by applying an external pump power. The simulation results show that, for photoconductivity of silicon ranging between 1 S/m and 4000 S/m, the resonance peak of the absorption spectra shifts to higher frequencies, from 0.67 THz to 1.63 THz, with a resonance tuning range of 59%. As the conductivity of silicon increases, the resonance frequencies of the MM absorber are continuously tuned from 1.60 THz to 1.16 THz, a redshift tuning range of 28%. As the conductivity increases above 30000 S/m, the resonance frequencies tend to be stable while the absorption peak has a merely tiny variation. The optical-tuned absorber has potential applications as a terahertz modulator or switch.     

Multiple omnidirectional resonances in a metamaterial sandwich

Multiple omnidirectional resonances are found in a sandwich structure consisting of a left-handed metamaterial cavity and two single-negative-permittivity reflection walls. These resonances appear because the phase shift of left-handed metamaterial can cancel the reflection phase shift of single-negative-permittivity metamaterials at every incidence angle. By using such particular structure, a kind of structure possessing multiple omnidirectional resonances in both polarizations has been designed. In addition, issues associated with energy loss are discussed.     

基于VO2薄膜相变原理的温控太赫兹超材料调制器

利用二氧化钒薄膜绝缘相–金属相的相变特性, 提出了一种基于超材料的温控太赫兹调制器, 研究了相变超材料在太赫兹波段的传输特性和温控可调谐特性. 当入射太赫兹波为水平偏振或垂直偏振状态时, 器件的透过率谱线在1 THz附近呈现出两个独立的、中心频率分别为1.3 THz和1.7 THz、 带宽分别为0.2 THz和0.35 THz的 透射宽带. 当温度从40℃至80℃变化时, 两宽带的透过率发生明显的降低, 在二氧化钒的相变温度(68℃)时尤其灵敏, 对入射光的二种偏振状态, 调制深度均达到60%以上, 实现了良好的调制效果. 关键词： 太赫兹超材料 2薄膜')" href="#">VO₂薄膜 调制器 相变     

Fabrication of terahertz metamaterials by laser printing

A laser printing technique was used to fabricate split-ring resonators (SRRs) on Si substrates for terahertz (THz) metamaterials and their resonance behavior evaluated by THz time-domain spectroscopy. The laser-printed Ag SRRs exhibited sharp edge definition and excellent thickness uniformity, which resulted in an electromagnetic response similar to that from identical Au SRR structures prepared by conventional photolithography. These results demonstrate that laser printing is a practical alternative to conventional photolithography for fabricating metamaterial structures at terahertz frequencies, since it allows their design to be easily modified and optimized.     

A compact square-shaped left-handed passive metamaterial with optimized quintuple resonance frequencies for satellite applications

The research aims to develop a more sophisticated novel left-handed and compact square-shaped metamaterial (SM) inspired multi-frequency bands like C-, X- and Ku-band applications. Even though the performance of existing satellite application devices are adequate, significant changes in technology over the past decades require advanced and more accurate techniques or devices. Hence, we approach the problem with a broader perspective by integrating a metamaterial structure in satellite application devices. As a general rule, the unconventional material known as metamaterial has extraordinary electromagnetic properties which are impracticable in commercially available materials. It represents an important study topic because this type of peculiar material is generally used in many field applications which encouraged us to experiment with the stated frequency bands by introducing a novel SM design. The novel SM design structure involved a 1.6 mm Epoxy Resin Fibre (FR-4) substrate material. This compact metamaterial design contains nine square rings with an altered small square ring joined in it. The numerical simulation of the SM design for satellite frequencies was performed using the Computer Simulation Technology (CST) Microwave Studio. The scattering parameters of the suggested SM design were determined by utilising Finite Integration Technique (FIT) in CST software. Several parametric studies that were analysed in this study include various design structure, types of substrate materials and SM array arrangement. Based on the adapted simulated frequency range (4 to 18 GHz), the unit cell SM exhibited five resonance frequencies at 5.49 and 7.33 GHz (in C-Band), 9.05 and 11.38 GHz (in X-Band) and 13.48 GHz (in Ku-Band). The measured resonance frequencies of the unit cell were 5.62 and 7.39 GHz (in C-Band), 9.15 and 11.32 GHz (in X-Band) and 13.51 GHz (in Ku-Band). The resonance frequencies obtained from both methods were similar. According to all three resonance frequencies, the SM design manifested a left-handed characteristic. Hence, on this basis, the proposed SM design with unique characteristics is deemed suitable for C-, X- and Ku-bands applications.     

基于二氧化钒宽、窄带可切换的双功能超材料吸收器研究

本文提出了一种宽、窄带可切换的双功能超材料吸收器.在超材料吸收器的结构中,引入了相变材料二氧化钒(VO2),仅利用单个可切换超表面就能实现不同的功能,其不同功能之间的相互转换通过VO2绝缘态和金属态之间的可逆相变特性实现.当VO2处于金属态时,设计的结构可以看作一个超材料宽带吸收器.仿真结果表明,在1.55THz至2....     

Perfect metamaterial absorber based on a split-ring-cross resonator

In this paper, we present a polarization-insensitive metamaterial (MM) absorber which is composed of the dielectric substrate sandwiched with split-ring-cross resonator (SRCR) and continuous metal film. The MM absorber is not limited by the quarter-wavelength thickness and can achieve near-unity absorbance by properly assembling the sandwiched structure. Microwave experiments demonstrate the maximum absorptivity to be about 99% around 10.91 GHz for incident wave with different polarizations. The surface currents distributions of the resonance structure are discussed to look into the resonance mechanism. Importantly, our absorber is only 0.4 mm thick, and numerical simulations confirm that the MM absorber could achieve very high absorptivity at wide angles of incidence for both transverse electric (TE) wave and transverse magnetic (TM) wave. The sandwiched structure is also suitable for designing of a THz and even higher frequency MM absorber, and simulations demonstrate the absorption of 99% at 1.105 THz.     

An ultra-broadband and highly-efficient tunable terahertz polarization converter based on composite metamaterial

A near perfect, ultra-broadband and highly-efficient terahertz reflective polarization converter based on multilayer metamaterial is proposed in this paper. The hybrid metamaterial unit structure consists of a split-ring metal pattern and a metal sheet separated by a dielectric resonator spacer. The polarization conversion ratio (PCR) is above 90% from 2.06 to 4.26 THz, with an optimal range between 2.98 and 4.16 THz where the efficiency is above 98% for normal incidence. It also shows excellent performance for oblique incidences. Moreover, the working band and the optimized frequency range for the polarization conversion can be manipulated by changing the open angle between the metallic arcs and the substrate thickness, respectively. Based on this design, two types of hybrid metamaterial converters are also investigated to swith off polarization conversion altogether or modify the polarization conversion bandwidth. A polarization converter with temperature controlled PCR is realized by adding a vanadium oxide (VO₂) mask on the designed structure. In addition, by integrating photoconductive silicon islands between the split-ring and metal bar a dual-band polarization converter can be realized. Combining with a polarizer, this window can act as an active THz filter.