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Optically and radiofrequency-transparent metadevices based on quasi-one-dimensional surface plasmon polariton structures

Nature Electronics volume 6, pages 525–533 (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

Transparent metadevices could equip electronic systems with unique functionalities such as anti-interference and stealth capabilities. However, optically transparent devices currently rely on transparent conductive materials, which have low optical transmittance, low operating efficiency and an inability to achieve radiofrequency transparency. Here, we show that metadevices based on quasi-one-dimensional surface plasmon polariton structures can offer optical and radiofrequency transparency. The structures are composed of subwavelength unit cells created from fine metallic lines printed on a flexible and transparent substrate. The approach can be used to create arbitrarily shaped waveguides with topological robustness for transmission applications, and converters for changing surface plasmon polariton waves into space waves for radiation applications. To illustrate the potential of the technology, we use the microwave metadevices to construct a wireless communication scheme for image transfer.

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Fig. 1: Configuration and characteristics of the quasi-1D structured SPPs.
Fig. 2: Manipulation of the quasi-1D structured SPPs.
Fig. 3: Demonstrations of optical and radiofrequency transparency.
Fig. 4: Transparent quasi-1D SPP metadevices.
Fig. 5: Schematic of wireless communication scheme based on optically and radiofrequency-transparent metadevices.
Fig. 6: Experimental validation of the wireless communication scheme based on optically and radiofrequency-transparent metadevices.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding authors upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

B.W. is grateful for financial support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) under grants 62171348, 62071357 and U19A2055. W.-X.T. is grateful for financial support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant 61971134). T.-J.C. is grateful for financial support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant 62288101). H.-R.Z. and B.W. acknowledge Y. Hao at the Queen Mary University of London for substantial support and assistance on mechanism analysis and representation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Key Laboratory of Antennas and Microwave Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, China

    Hao-Ran Zu, Bian Wu, Biao Chen, Wen-Hua Li, Tao Su & Ying Liu

  2. State Key Laboratory of Millimeter Waves, Southeast University, Nanjing, China

    Wen-Xuan Tang & Tie-Jun Cui

  3. Hubei Engineering Research Center of RF–Microwave Technology and Application, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China

    Da-Ping He

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  1. Hao-Ran Zu
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Contributions

H.-R.Z. and B.W. conceived the idea and designed the experiment. B.W. and T.-J.C. supervised the project. H.-R.Z., B.C. and W.-H.L. performed the experiments. H.-R.Z. and B.C. analysed the experimental data. H.-R.Z. performed the simulation. H.-R.Z. and B.W. wrote the initial manuscript. B.C. upgraded the illustration presentation. W.-X.T., T.-J.C. and D.-P.H. revised and improved the manuscript. All the authors discussed the results and commented on the manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Bian Wu or Tie-Jun Cui.

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Nature Electronics thanks Yun Lai and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

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Supplementary information

Supplementary Information

Supplementary Notes 1–10.

Supplementary Video 1

Optical transparency and flexibility of the proposed quasi-1D-structured SPP samples.

Supplementary Video 2

Mode distribution measurement of the proposed quasi-1D-structured SPP sample.

Supplementary Video 3

Radiofrequency transmittance measurement of the proposed quasi-1D-structured SPP sample.

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Zu, HR., Wu, B., Chen, B. et al. Optically and radiofrequency-transparent metadevices based on quasi-one-dimensional surface plasmon polariton structures. Nat Electron 6, 525–533 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41928-023-00995-z

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