Dynamic Terahertz Plasmonics Enabled by Phase‐Change Materials

Phase‐change phenomena have been an attractive research theme for decades due to the dynamic transition of material properties providing extraordinary capabilities for versatile optical device applications. Even at the terahertz (THz) frequency regime, phase‐change materials (PCMs) promote the devel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advanced optical materials 2020-02, Vol.8 (3), p.n/a
Main Authors: Jeong, Young‐Gyun, Bahk, Young‐Mi, Kim, Dai‐Sik
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
active modulation
Electromagnetic properties
external stimuli
Ferroelectric materials
Ferroelectricity
Field strength
Hybrid composites
Liquid crystals
Liquid metals
Material properties
Materials science
Metamaterials
Optical properties
Optics
phase transition
Phase transitions
phase‐change materials
Plasmonics
Room temperature
terahertz
Terahertz frequencies
Transition metal oxides
Vanadium dioxide
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Summary:Phase‐change phenomena have been an attractive research theme for decades due to the dynamic transition of material properties providing extraordinary capabilities for versatile optical device applications. Even at the terahertz (THz) frequency regime, phase‐change materials (PCMs) promote the development of dynamic devices, especially when combined with a plasmonic approach delivering strong field enhancement and localization. According to the design of plasmonic metamaterials or hybrid composites, PCMs can actively modulate the electromagnetic properties of THz waves through thermal, electrical, and optical means. In turn, THz waves can affect the PCM properties in the nonlinear regime due to the intense field strength enhancement by plasmonic structures. Here, a few types of PCMs demonstrating promising potential in THz plasmonic applications are introduced. Starting from the best‐known transition metal oxide, vanadium dioxide (VO2), which possesses an insulator‐to‐metal phase transition near room temperature, superconductors, chalcogenides, ferroelectrics, liquid crystals, and liquid metals are covered along with their phase‐change properties and the control mechanisms infused with THz plasmonic applications. The corresponding recent progress presenting how PCMs combined with plasmonic structures can demonstrate effective THz modulation is reviewed. This general overview may provide a better understanding of dynamic THz plasmonics and new ideas for future THz technology. Phase‐change materials for active terahertz metamaterials are introduced. Recent advances on dynamic terahertz modulation utilizing phase‐change materials combined with plasmonic nano/microstructures are summarized, along with the phase control methods and the designs. The versatility of phase change materials proposes promising future perspectives for the development of multifunctional terahertz devices.
ISSN:2195-1071
2195-1071
DOI:10.1002/adom.201900548