Letter abstract
Nature Photonics 3, 148 - 151 (2009)
Published online: 22 February 2009 | doi:10.1038/nphoton.2009.3
Subject Categories: Terahertz optics | Novel materials and engineered structures | Optoelectronic devices and components
A metamaterial solid-state terahertz phase modulator
Hou-Tong Chen1, Willie J. Padilla2, Michael J. Cich3, Abul K. Azad1, Richard D. Averitt4 & Antoinette J. Taylor1
Abstract
Over the past two decades, terahertz time-domain spectroscopy1 and quantum-cascade lasers2 have been two of the most important developments in terahertz science and technology. These technologies may contribute to a multitude of terahertz applications that are currently under investigation globally3. However, the devices and components necessary to effectively manipulate terahertz radiation require substantial development beyond what has been accomplished to date. Here we demonstrate an electrically controlled planar hybrid metamaterial device that linearly controls the phase of terahertz radiation with constant insertion loss over a narrow frequency band. Alternatively, our device may operate as a broadband terahertz modulator because of the causal relation between the amplitude modulation and phase shifting. We perform terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, in which our hybrid metamaterial modulator replaces a commercial mechanical optical chopper, demonstrating comparable broadband performance and superior high-speed operation.
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Materials Physics & Applications Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
- Department of Physics, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, USA
- Sandia National Laboratories, MS1085, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
- Department of Physics, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
Correspondence to: Hou-Tong Chen1 e-mail: chenht@lanl.gov
