A Simple Multi-band Metamaterial Absorber with Combined Polarization Sensitive and Polarization Insensitive Characteristics for Terahertz Applications

This paper presents a simple multi-band metamaterial absorber for terahertz applications. The unit cell of the proposed structure consists of a single square ring having gaps at the centers on three of its sides. The proposed absorber produces three absorption bands for all polarizations and hence the design can be considered as insensitive to polarization variation. It provides an average absorption of 96.92% for the TE polarization with a peak absorption of 99.44% at 3.87 THz and for the TM polarization, it provides an average absorption of 98.4% with a peak absorption of 99.86% at 3.87 THz. An additional absorption peak is observed for the TE polarization at 1.055 THz that gradually diminishes with the increase in polarization angle and completely vanishes for the TM polarization. Thus, the structure displays a hybrid polarization response with polarization insensitivity in three bands and polarization sensitivity in one band. Parametric analysis has been carried out validating the optimal selection of the design parameters. The simplicity of the design and its combined polarization sensitive and polarization insensitive absorption characteristics can find tremendous applications in the field of terahertz imaging and sensing.

     

Dispersionless and Giant Optical Activity in Terahertz Chiral Metamaterials

In this paper, we propose a new structure which is achieved via the combination of twist conjugated gammadion and four-L resonators pairs. The proposed chiral metamaterial can achieve dispersionless and giant optical activity simultaneously. The polarization ellipticity is lower than 0.46° through all function bands, and the polarization azimuth rotation angle is larger than 90.3° from 2.37 to 2.69 THz. Specifically, the structure can achieve 90° dispersionless polarization rotation at f?=?2.57 THz. The optical activity is optimized through changing the parameters of the chiral structure and the physical mechanism is also analyzed based on surface current distribution.     

Tunable Salisbury Screen Absorber Using Square Lattice of Plasmonic Nanodisk

We propose a novel polarization independent Salisbury screen absorber to provide tunable resonant absorption at terahertz (THz) frequencies. The Salisbury screen absorber is designed by using a planar array of thin gold nanodisks arranged in a square lattice. Certain configurations of Salisbury screen have multiple distinctive absorption bands that support near-unity/FWHM absorption bandwidth reaching 36 THz/169 THz, respectively. Moreover, the absorption bandwidth depends upon the optical thickness of the dielectric spacer between the metasurface and the metallic ground plane. The proposed tunable Salisbury screen absorber can find practical applications in photonic detection, imaging, sensing, and solar cells at optical frequencies.     

A Terahertz Tunable Metamaterial Reflective Polarization Converter Based On Vanadium Oxide Film

In this paper, on the basis of metamaterial, a simply single-layer and tunable reflective polarization converter has been numerically investigated, which is composed of vanadium dioxide film (VO₂) component combined with two-corner-cut square patch cut by a slit and reflective ground layer. Calculated results obtained by the CST Microwave Studio show that in the frequency of 2.22–5.42 THz, high polarization conversion efficiency (polarization conversion ratio (PCR) above 90%) can be normally achieved at the temperature about 25 °C for both the linearly and circularly polarized wave incidence. At the same time, the cross-polarization converter can be analyzed and obtained from the view on qualitative variable of polarization azimuth angle (θ) and ellipticity (η). Moreover, a tunable polarization conversion property can be realized by the designed device with vanadium dioxide utilizing changing different conductivities. Even so, to be demonstrated, the physical mechanism of the merits of controllability and uniqueness has been discussed by the distributions of current densities and E-field map, respectively. According to the prior results, the designed metamaterial could be applied in the area of temperature-controlled sensing, THz wireless communication, tunable polarized devices.

     

Ultrahigh-Q and Polarization-Independent Terahertz Metamaterial Perfect Absorber

Ensuring a good trade-off between high-quality factor (Q-factor) and polarization independency is a key challenge for designing practicable terahertz metamaterial devices. We propose a symmetric composite aluminum-structured metamaterial absorber to achieve high Q-factor beyond 80 and near-unity absorbance of arbitrary polarization waves in the terahertz regime. Ultrahigh Q-factor reaches 84, and polarization-independent absorption is as high as 99% for resonant frequency tuning from 7.58 to 8.97 THz, covering 14% of the standard THz gap. The geometric effect of the symmetric sublattice on resonant frequency tuning is analyzed. The large Q-factor and strong absorption by oblique incidence is discussed. Designed high-Q metamaterial perfect absorber has various applications, including terahertz hyperspectral imaging, filtering, and sensing.

     

A Simple Design of a Multi-Band Terahertz Metamaterial Absorber Based on Periodic Square Metallic Layer with T-Shaped Gap

We present a multi-band terahertz absorber formed by periodic square metallic ribbon with T-shaped gap and a metallic ground plane separated by a dielectric layer. It is demonstrated that absorption spectra of the proposed structure consist of four absorption peaks located at 1.12, 2.49, 3.45, and 3.91 THz with high absorption coefficients of 98.0, 98.9, 98.7, and 99.6%, respectively. It is demonstrated that the proposed absorber has the tunability from single-band to broadband by changing the length of square metallic ribbon and we can also select or tune the frequencies which we want to use by changing polarization angles. Importantly, the quality factor Q at 3.91 THz is 30.1, which is 5.6 times higher than that of 1.12 THz. These results indicate that the proposed absorber has a promising potential for devices, such as detection, sensing, and imaging.

     

Ultra-Broadband Linear Polarization Conversion via Diode-Like Asymmetric Transmission with Composite Metamaterial for Terahertz Waves

In this paper, a tri-layer metamaterial composed of a split-disk structure array sandwiched with two layers of twisted sub-wavelength metal grating is proposed and investigated numerically in terahertz region. The numerical results exhibit that linear polarization conversion via diode-like asymmetric transmission for terahertz waves within ultra-broadband frequency range is achieved due to Fabry-Perot-like resonance. In our design, the conversion polarization transmission coefficient for normal incidence is greater than 90 % in the range of 0.23–1.17 THz, equivalent to 134.3 % relative bandwidth. The physical mechanism of the broadband linear polarization conversion effect is further illustrated by simulated electrical field distributions.

     

Linear-to-Circular Polarization Converter with Adjustable Bandwidth Realized by the Graphene Transmissive Metasurface

Plasmonics - A tunable linear-to-circular polarization converter (LTCPC) for the terahertz (THz) regime which consists of two conductive layers and a graphene transmissive metasurface layer...     

Multiband Metamaterial Absorber Design Based on Plasmonic Resonances for Solar Energy Harvesting

A new metamaterial absorber is designed and characterized numerically for the harvesting of solar energy. The design is composed of three layers in which the interaction among them gives rise to the plasmonic resonances. The main operation frequency range of the proposed structure is chosen to be the visible regime. However, the design is also analyzed for the infrared and ultraviolet regimes. In order to characterize the absorber, some parametric studies with respect to the dimensions of the structure are carried out. According to the results, it is found that the proposed metamaterial absorber has 98.2 % absorption capability at 445.85 THz and 99.4 % absorption capability between 624 and 658.3 THz. Moreover, the polarization dependency of the structure is examined and it is found that the design operates well as a perfect absorber with polarization independency for the studied frequency range. As a result, the proposed metamaterial absorber can be used for solar energy harvesting as it provides multiple perfect absorption bands in the visible regime.     

A Newfangled Terahertz Absorber Tuned Temper by Temperature Field Doped by the Liquid Metal

In this article, a terahertz absorber tuned by temperature field with a newfangled structure is presented, which comprises the mercury resonators. In this scheme, temperature (T) build-up will lead the mercury stored in the bottom slot to expand through the columniform hole and be full of the upper central cross container, which can transform the absorption bands of such an absorber. The simulated results manifest that when T is increased from 0 to 25 °C, the dual-frequency absorption points (2.59 THz, 3.03 THz) and a narrow absorption region over 90% (6.54–7.10 THz), whose relative bandwidth (RB) is 7.9%, will be tailored to a single-frequency point absorption (3.12 THz) and a broadband absorption area (6.00–7.21 THz, and RB = 18.3%). For figuring out the property of the absorber mentioned above, the impacts of incident and polarization angles along with some relevant parameters of the structure on the absorption property are investigated. In addition, for plainly expounding the physical mechanism of absorption, the distributions of the surface current diagrams of the presented absorber are calculated, as well as the electric field diagrams, the magnetic field diagrams, the power loss density diagrams, and the power flow density diagrams. The proffered scheme in this article may offer a novel idea for realizing the reconfigurable absorbers.

     

Polarization Conversion Based on Mie-Type Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) Effect in All-Dielectric Metasurface

In this paper, we propose an all-dielectric metasurface to realize the linear-to-circular polarization conversion of resonantly transmitted waves. This metasurface is composed of two intersection bars and four circle bricks. It has numerically demonstrated that the electromagnetic (EM) couplings between dielectric bar and bricks lead to the famous electromagnetically induced transparent (EIT) effect. Subsequently, based on Mie-type EIT resonances for two incident polarizations, the linear-to-circular polarization conversion occur at about 0.47 THz. More importantly, the thickness of our device is subwavelength and it is very transparency for EM waves. We also investigate the dependences of device performance on incident angles of EM waves and structure thicknesses. Device good performance is almost kept at about 0.47 THz for slightly incident angle tilts (θ ≤?30°) and tiny changes of substrate thickness. But device performance is strongly dependent on dielectric thickness. These results are very important for its integration to the existing terahertz devices, or its application to future polarization controls.     

Tunable Terahertz Plasmonic Perfect Absorber Based on T-Shaped InSb Array

High absorption efficiency is particularly desirable for various microtechnological applications. In this paper, a nearly perfect terahertz absorber for transverse magnetic (TM) polarization based on T-shaped InSb array is proposed and numerically investigated. Incident wave at the Fabry-Perot resonant frequency can be totally absorbed into the narrow grooves between the two adjacent T-shaped InSb arms. The absorption mechanism is theoretically and numerically studied by using the Fabry-Perot model and the finite element method (FEM), respectively. It is found that the proposed absorber has large angle tolerance. Moreover, the absorption peak can be controlled by varying the temperature. Furthermore, a new absorption peak will emerge while breaking the symmetry of the T-shaped InSb array. This tunable and angle-independent THz perfect absorber may find important applications in THz devices such as microbolometers, coherent thermal emitters, solar cells, photo detectors, and sensors.     

An Ultra-Wideband Terahertz Metamaterial Absorber Utilizing Sinusoidal-Patterned Dielectric Loaded Graphene

In this paper, a non-structured graphene sheet loaded with a sinusoidal-patterned dielectric is introduced as an ultra-wideband metamaterial absorber in terahertz regime. Regardless of conventional structures with multilayered-graphene, a single layer sheet of non-structured graphene is used whereas the proposed structure benefits from dielectric width modulation and cavity method in order to excite continuous graphene plasmon resonances. The structure comprises four layers that two Fabry-Perot cavity mirrors are constructed by upper sinusoidal-patterned dielectric and a gold film. Full wave simulation results demonstrate that a broadband over 90% absorption with absolute bandwidth of 6.58 THz and central frequency of 3.97 THz is achieved under normal TE/TM incident plane wave. The designed structure yields 166% relative bandwidth. According to the symmetric configuration, the absorption spectra of mentioned polarizations are thoroughly close to each other resulting to a polarization insensitive structure. The stability of bandwidth and absorbance of the structure versus angle of incidence, θ, up to 35°/65° for TM/TE polarizations, respectively, and azimuth angle, φ, shows an interesting capability for utilization as detectors and sensors. The simple geometry of utilized graphene layer results in easy fabrication. The designed structure has wideband absorption in THz regime. Moreover, it is more compact than conventional broadband THz absorbers.

     

Recent Advances of Efficient Design of Terahertz Quantum-Cascade Lasers

Terahertz (THz) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are electrically pumped and heterostructure based semiconductor laser sources with intersubband transitions of electrons in different layers of the quantum wells and barriers. The THz QCLs have high output power in THz region which make them important from application point of view. Recently intensive research has been carried out by researchers for obtaining efficient designs of THz sources. Most of the researchers have investigated the THz frequency range between 0.1 and 3 THz; however, the output power of the THz sources in the frequency range 3–5 THz is small because of transit time and resistance-capacitance effects. Nevertheless, the present review is focused for the development of efficient THz QCL sources in the frequency range from 3 to 5 THz where one of the major problem of thermal backfilling of the carriers has to be overcome by engineering the heterostructure.

     

Do hydration dynamics follow the structural perturbation during thermal denaturation of a protein: a terahertz absorption study

We investigate the thermal denaturation of human serum albumin and the associated solvation using terahertz (THz) spectroscopy in aqueous buffer solution. Far- and near-ultraviolet circular dichroism spectroscopy reveal that the protein undergoes a native (N) to extended (E) state transition at temperature ≤55°C with a marginal change in the secondary and tertiary structure. At 70°C, the protein transforms into an unfolded (U) state with significant irreversible disruption of its structures. We measure the concentration- and temperature-dependent THz absorption coefficient (α) of the protein solution using a p-Ge THz difference spectrometer (2.1–2.8 THz frequency range), thereby probing the collective protein-water network dynamics. When the solvated protein is heated up to 55°C and cooled down again, a reversible change in THz absorption is observed. When increasing the temperature up to 70°C, we find a dramatic irreversible change of THz absorption. The increase in THz absorption compared to bulk water is attributed to a blue shift in the spectrum of the solvated protein compared to bulk water. This is supported by measurements of THz absorption coefficients using THz time-domain spectroscopy (0.1–1.2 THz frequency range). We also use picosecond-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy of the tryptophan 214 moiety of human serum albumin. All experimental observations can be explained by a change in the hydration dynamics of the solvated protein due to the additional exposure of hydrophobic residues upon unfolding.     

Effect of Boundary Condition and Periodical Extension on Transmission Characteristics of Terahertz Filters with Periodical Hole Array Structure Fabricated on Aluminum Slab

Terahertz (THz) filters based on extraordinary optical transmission from periodical hole array structures fabricated on aluminum slab have been experimentally investigated by using THz time-domain spectroscopy. The incident THz pulses with frequency from 0.1 to 2.7 THz could be partly filtered, and the central peak was at ～0.26. The high frequency signal could be observed to decrease, especially for the frequency above ～1 THz. Moreover, the transmission peak from small-size sample with less hole arrays shifts to high frequency at ～0.53 THz due to both the effects of boundary condition and insufficient periodical extension. Furthermore, finite element method with surface plasmon polariton theory is employed to analyze this extraordinary optical transmission and filter phenomena.     

Terahertz Selective Emission Enhancement from a Metasurface-Coupled Photoconductive Emitter in Quasi-Near-Field Zone

We present a THz emission enhancement of 41 times at 0.92 THz from a metasurface made of T-shaped resonators excited in a quasi-near-field zone. Such a metasurface has an intrinsic transmission minimum with Q factor of 4 at 1.25 THz under far-field excitation. When this metasurface is coupled onto the backside of a 625-μm-thick photoconductive emitter, the metasurface is below the Fraunhofer distance to the excitation source. As such, one broad enhancement around 0.47 THz and another extremely narrow enhancement at 0.92 THz in the emission spectrum are observed owing to a quasi-near-field excitation. Theoretically, the Q factor of the latter is up to 307, which is limited by the spectral resolution in experiment. The numerical simulations indicate that the T-shaped resonators serve as an array of plasmonic antennas resulting in the aforementioned emission enhancement of THz radiation.

     

Nanoscale biomaterials for terahertz imaging: A non-invasive approach for early cancer detection

Terahertz (THz) technology is developing a non-invasive imaging system for biosensing and clinical diagnosis. THz medical imaging mainly benefits from great sensitivity in detecting changes in water content and structural variations in diseased cells versus normal tissues. Compared to healthy tissues, cancerous tumors contain a higher level of water molecules and show structural changes, resulting in different THz absorption. Here we described the principle of THz imaging and advancement in the field of translational biomedicine and early detection of pathologic tissue, with a particular focus on oncology. In addition, although the main forte of THz imaging relies on detecting differences in water content to distinguish the exact margin of tumor, THz displays limited contrast in living tissue for in-vivo clinical imaging. In the last few years, nanotechnology has attracted attention to aid THz medical imaging and various nanoparticles have been investigated as contrast enhancements to improve the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of THz images. Most of these multimodal contrast agents take advantage of the temperature-dependent of THz spectrum to the conformational variation of the water molecule. We discuss advances in developing THz contrast agents to accelerate the advancement of non-invasive THz imaging with improved sensitivity and specificity for translational clinical oncology.     

A Compact Design of Multiband Terahertz Metamaterial Absorber with Frequency and Polarization Tunability

A new and simple design of quad-band metamaterial absorber for terahertz frequency has been proposed. The unit cell of the absorber is composed of a top metallic patch having H-shaped slot and a ground metallic plane, both separated by a dielectric layer. The proposed design is capable of providing four distinct absorption peaks over at 0.81, 1.98, 3.25, and 3.50 THz. Our design is a step ahead of the previously proposed terahertz absorbers for its simplistic design approach which removes the fabrication difficulty. Interestingly, rather placing multiple resonators in a single unit cell, we able to accommodate multiple orders of resonances in the proposed design using only a single metallic structure to achieve multiband absorbance. The sensing performance of the absorber in terms of surrounding index is also analyzed. Moreover, we have shown how the proposed structure can be easily converted into a frequency tunable absorber using a simple stub without changing the overall geometry of the absorber. This fast and easy frequency tunability feature is an additional advantage over the simple design of the structure. Also, we lead our work to its upgradation into a polarization tunable absorber where the absorption frequencies are controllable by the polarization of the incident light. The vibrant design of the proposed absorber is expected to find application in detection, imaging, radar cross-section (RCS) reduction, and sensing-related activities.     

In vivo sensing of rabbit cornea by terahertz technology

A Novel scalable approach using Terahertz (THz) waves together with the electromagnetic field simulation was applied to investigate four rabbits of eight rabbit corneas in vivo. One eye of each rabbits’ corneas was edema induced; the other eye of the corneas served as the control. The simulation revealed the propagation of THz waves at a certain distance along the sub-surface of the cornea. THz spectra have been collected close to the corneal surface by deviating the direct reflection of the THz beam for the edema cornea, the reflected wave intensity for edema corneas is generally larger compared with the control cornea. Upon edema becomes severe at the end of the observation, the reflected wave intensities obtained by detector corresponding to the corneal deep stroma layer approach to the same value for all observed corneas. Good correlation is observed between central corneal thickness measurements and THz wave reflection signal intensities. Our results demonstrated that THz spectroscopy technique could obtain the information from different corneal sublayers.