Active terahertz metamaterials

In this paper we present an overview of research in our group in terahertz (THz) metamaterials and their applications. We have developed a series of planar metamaterials operating at THz frequencies, all of which exhibit a strong resonant response. By incorporating natural materials, e.g., semiconductors, as the substrates or as critical regions of metamaterial elements, we are able to effectively control the metamaterial resonance by the application of external stimuli, e.g., photoexcitation and electrical bias. Such actively controllable metamaterials provide novel functionalities for solid-state device applications with unprecedented performance, such as THz spectroscopy, imaging, and many others.     

太赫兹人工电磁媒质研究进展

近年来, 随着太赫兹科学技术的发展, 越来越多的科学家向太赫兹间隙这一传统空白领域发起挑战. 其中, 人工电磁媒质因为能够设计太赫兹波段中紧缺的功能器件而受到广泛关注. 近年来, 对人工电磁媒质尤其是太赫兹方面的研究进展突飞猛进. 人工电磁媒质的性质不仅仅由其构成材料决定, 更与其结构单元的形状和空间排布密切相关. 本文介绍了人工电磁媒质在太赫兹波段的发展、原理、设计和应用, 并着重介绍完美吸波器和人工表面等离激元, 为太赫兹波段功能器件的研究提供了参考, 并对可能的发展方向予以展望.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance study of the electron-doped high-temperature superconducting cuprates

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements have been made on two of the electron-doped high-temperature superconducting cuprates (HTSCs), Pr_2−xCe_xCuO₄ and Sr_0.9La_0.1CuO₂ that represent the two known electron-doped structures. The results are compared with the more-studied hole-doped HTSCs. We show that the electron and hole-doped HTSCs probe a similar antiferromagnetic spin fluctuation spectrum in the normal state, which provides support for theories of superconductivity where the pairing is mediated by antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations and the superconducting order parameter has a d_x²−y² symmetry. Contrary to results from underdoped and hole-doped HTSCs, there is no evidence for a normal-state pseudogap in the NMR data from measurements on the electron-doped HTSCs. Therefore, the electron-doped HTSCs can be better compared with overdoped and hole-doped HTSCs where the normal-state pseudogap is absent. The antiferromagnetic spin fluctuation spectrum as probed by the Cu spin–lattice relaxation rate, is independent of the doped electrons per Cu. A similar effect is observed in the overdoped and hole-doped HTSC, Y_1−xCa_xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ for a hole concentration range of 0.063. The anomalous Cu NMR linewidth anisotropy observed in the electron-doped HTSCs suggests a small and static spin variation for temperatures up to room temperature.     

可调太赫兹与光学超材料

本文对可调太赫兹与光学超材料的研究进展进行了综述,并对其发展趋势和应用前景进行了展望。可以预见,可调超材料将继续成为超材料研究中的热点课题,并将成为引领光学器件和光学系统变革的潜在技术途径,对光学和太赫兹技术的发展将产生深远的影响。     

Manipulation of terahertz radiation using metamaterials

During the past decade electromagnetic metamaterials have realized many exotic phenomena that are difficult or impossible using naturally occurring materials. It is their resonantly enhanced interaction with electromagnetic waves that underpins their attractive qualities, which are increasingly important in the terahertz frequency range. Passive and active terahertz metamaterials and devices have enabled novel functionality and unprecedented terahertz device performance. These demonstrations prove their potential to address the so‐called terahertz gap, a technology vacuum associated with the deficiency of natural materials with a desirable terahertz response.     

Reflection-type electromagnetically induced transparency analogue in terahertz metamaterials

A reflection-type electromagnetically induced transparency（EIT） metamaterial is proposed, which is composed of a dielectric spacer sandwiched with metallic patterns and metallic plane. Experimental results of THz time domain spectrum（THz-TDS） exhibit a typical reflection of EIT at 0.865 THz, which are in excellent agreement with the full-wave simulations. A multi-reflection theory is adopted to analyze the physical mechanism of the reflection-type EIT, showing that the reflection-type EIT is a superposition of multiple reflection of the transmission EIT. Such a reflection-type EIT provides many applications based on the EIT effect, such as slow light devices and nonlinear elements.     

Process-controllable modulation of plasmon-induced transparency in terahertz metamaterials

Recently reported plasmon-induced transparency(PIT)in metamaterials endows the optical structures in classical systems with quantum optical effects.In particular,the nonreconfigurable nature in metamaterials makes multifunctional applications of PIT effects in terahertz communications and optical networks remain a great challenge.Here,we present an ultrafast process-selectable modulation of the PIT effect.By incorporating silicon islands into diatomic metamaterials,the PIT effect is modulated reversely,depending on the vertical and horizontal configurations,with giant modulation depths as high as 129%and 109%.Accompanied by the enormous switching of the transparent window,remarkable slow light effect occurs.     

Origin of strain-induced resonances in flexible terahertz metamaterials

Two types of flexible terahertz metamaterials were fabricated on polyethylene naphthalate(PEN) substrates. The unit cell of one type consists of two identical split-ring resonators(SRRs) that are arranged face-to-face(i.e., Flex Meta F); the unit cell of the other type has nothing different but is arranged back-to-back(i.e., Flex Meta B). Flex Meta F and Flex Meta B illustrate the similar transmission dips under zero strain because the excitation of fundamental inductive–capacitive(LC)resonance is mainly dependent on the geometric structure of individual SRR. However, if a gradually variant strain is applied to bend Flex Meta F and Flex Meta B, the new resonant peaks appear: in the case of Flex Meta F, the peaks are located at the lower frequencies; in the case of Flex Meta B, the peaks appear at the frequencies adjacent to the LC resonance. The origin and evolution of strain-induced resonances are studied. The origin is ascribed to the detuning effect and the different responses to strain from Flex Meta F and Flex Meta B are associated with the coupling effect. These findings may improve the understanding on flexible terahertz metamaterials and benefit their applications in flexible or curved devices.     

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.     

Programmable terahertz metamaterials through V-beam electrothermal devices

We report on the application of various optimization methods as a very promising simulation approach for the design of true integrated optical devices by means of inverse design. We show that these techniques provide a global optimum toward one or various functional objectives at a reasonable computational cost. The results obtained by these methods are far better than intuitive design procedures and clearly outperform trial-and-error based models. We illustrate their performance by using a series of inverse-designed practical photonic devices.     

Mechanically tunable metamaterials terahertz dual-band bandstop filter

We experimentally demonstrate a mechanically tunable metamaterials terahertz(THz) dual-band bandstop filter. The unit cell of the filter contains an inner aluminum circle and an outside aluminum Ohm-ring on high resistance silicon substrate. The performance of the filter is simulated by finite-integration-time-domain(FITD) method. The sample is fabricated using a surface micromachining process and experimentally demonstrated using a THz time-domain-spectroscopy(TDS) system. The results show that, when the incident THz wave is polarized in y-axis, the filter has two intensive absorption peaks locating at 0.71 THz and 1.13 THz, respectively. The position of the high-frequency absorption peak and the amplitude of the low-frequency absorption peak can be simultaneously tuned by rotating the sample along its normal axis.The tunability of the high-frequency absorption peak is due to the shift of resonance frequency of two electrical dipoles,and that of the low-frequency absorption peak results from the effect of rotationally induced transparent. This tunable filter is very useful for switch, manipulation, and frequency selective detection of THz beam.     

Nonlinear reshaping of terahertz pulses with graphene metamaterials

We study the propagation of electromagnetic waves through a slab of graphene metamaterial composed of the layers of graphene separated by dielectric slabs. Starting from the kinetic expression for two-dimensional electric current in graphene, we derive a novel equation describing the nonlinear propagation of terahertz electromagnetic pulses through the layered graphene-dielectric structure in the presence of losses and non-linearities. We demonstrate strong nonlinearity-induced reshaping of transmitted and reflected terahertz pulses through the interaction with the thin multilayer graphene metamaterial structure.     

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.     

Stoichiometric relations in high-temperature superconducting compounds

Applying the Jing and Gonser model for the high-T _c superconductivity based on electron hopping the Stoichiometric connections and appropriate restrictions are given. It is shown that for the compounds of typeA _2–x B _xCuO₄ andAB ₂Cu₃O_9–x, whereA is a trivalent rare-earth ion andB is a divalent alkali earth ion, the superconductivity is realized only if 0T _c superconducting compounds are propounded and considered, too. The optimum compound which contains fluorine atoms should be of the form YBa₂Cu₃F₂O_5.875. All the relations presented find confirmation in experiments.     

Negative refractive index in chiral spiral metamaterials at terahertz frequencies

A three-dimensional chiral metamaterial consisting of arrays of the multi-layered mutually twisted metallic spirals is proposed. We theoretically demonstrate such a chiral spiral structure exhibiting negative refractive index at terahertz frequencies. The chirality with varied refractive index can be obtained by change of configurations of the structure. The presented design offers flexibility for investigation of electromagnetic properties of chiral metamaterials in the terahertz regime and thus leads to a unique route to terahertz device applications.     

TiO2 microsphere-based metamaterials exhibiting effective magnetic response in the terahertz regime

The static magnetic structure of a single shape-defective Ni₈₀Fe₂₀ nanowire has been investigated by magnetic force microscopy (MFM). The result shows that defects of the shape of the nanowire have an effect on the magnetic state of the nanowire. In order to check the influence of defects of the shape on the magnetic state, a micromagnetic simulation and a MFM image simulated computation are introduced. Two model systems are studied: (I) model?I: no defects of the shape is present and (II) model?II: the defects of the shape are introduced into the ends of the nanowire. The simulated computation result of model?II is in good agreement with experimental results for the single Ni₈₀Fe₂₀ nanowire. It may have important significance for guiding in sample preparation and application.     

A flexible wideband bandpass terahertz filter using multi-layer metamaterials

We make a flexible wideband bandpass filter at terahertz (THz) frequencies using multi-layer metamaterials. A very flat response in the passband can be obtained since the Fabry–Perot reflection inside the rigid substrate is eliminated. The center frequency is about 0.89 THz with a 3 dB bandwidth of 0.69 THz for normal incidence. The sharp band-edge transitions are 53 and 70 dB/THz to the rejection bands, respectively. The measured average insertion loss is 1.4 dB with a ripple of 0.8 dB. Furthermore, the transmission feature is insensitive to the polarization of incident wave due to the symmetric structure of the unit cell of the metamaterials. Also, it has a small change as the increase of the curvature of the flexible substrate. This result manifests that the multi-layer metamaterials can provide an effective way to design wideband THz devices.     

高温超导导线I_c-B特性的测量

测量了高温超导导线Bi-2223/Ag的临界电流值与外加磁场的依赖性关系.实验结果表明:超导线材的临界电流不仅与磁场大小有关,而且还与外磁场的方向有关.外磁场越大,临界电流值越小;Bi-2223/Ag呈扁带状,临界电流对磁场的依赖性呈现各向异性.该实验与高温超导材料临界温度测量实验结合为高温超导电性能综合测试实验,为学生自主研究提供了拓展空间.