Showing papers by "Richard D. Averitt published in 2018"

Phototunable Dielectric Huygens' Metasurfaces.

Abstract: Conventional dielectric metasurfaces achieve their properties through geometrical tuning and consequently are static. Although some unique properties are demonstrated, the usefulness for realistic applications is thus inherently limited. Here, control of the resonant eigenmodes supported by Huygens' metasurface (HMS) absorbers through optical excitation is proposed and demonstrated. An intensity transmission modulation depth of 99.93% is demonstrated at 1.03 THz, with an associated phase change of greater than π/2 rad. Coupled mode theory and S-parameter simulations are used to elucidate the mechanism underlying the dynamics of the metasurface and it is found that the tuning is primarily governed by modification of the magnetic dipole-like odd eigenmode, which both lifts the degeneracy, and eliminates critical coupling. The dynamic HMS demonstrates wide tunability and versatility which is not limited to the spectral range demonstrated, offering a new path for reconfigurable metasurface applications.

Electromechanically tunable metasurface transmission waveplate at terahertz frequencies

Abstract: Dynamic polarization control of light is essential for numerous applications ranging from enhanced imaging to material characterization and identification. We present a reconfigurable terahertz metasurface quarter-wave plate consisting of electromechanically actuated microcantilever arrays. Our anisotropic metasurface enables tunable polarization conversion through cantilever actuation. Specifically, voltage-based actuation provides mode-selective control of the resonance frequency, enabling real-time tuning of the polarization state of the transmitted light. The polarization tunable metasurface has been fabricated using surface micromachining and characterized using terahertz time domain spectroscopy. We observe a ∼230 GHz cantilever actuated frequency shift of the resonance mode, sufficient to modulate the transmitted wave from pure circular polarization to linear polarization. Our CMOS-compatible tunable quarter-wave plate enriches the library of terahertz optical components, thereby facilitating practical applications of terahertz technologies.

Ultrafast terahertz field control of electronic and structural interactions in vanadium dioxide

Abstract: As a type of fermions without counterpart in high energy physics, triply degenerate fermions show exotic physical properties, which are represented by triply degenerate nodal points in topological semimetals. Here, based on the space group theory analysis, we propose a practical guidance for seeking a topological semimetal with triply degenerate nodal points located at a symmetric axis, which is applicable to both symmorphic and nonsymmorphic crystals. By using this guidance in combination with the first-principles electronic structure calculations, we predict a class of triply degenerate topological semimetals $R{\mathrm{Rh}}_{6}{\mathrm{Ge}}_{4}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}(R=\text{Y},\text{La},\text{Lu})$. In these compounds, the triply degenerate nodal points are located at the $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}\text{\ensuremath{-}}A$ axis and not far from the Fermi level. Especially, ${\mathrm{LaRh}}_{6}{\mathrm{Ge}}_{4}$ has a pair of triply degenerate nodal points located at just $\ensuremath{\sim}3$ meV below the Fermi level. Considering the fact that the single crystals of $R{\mathrm{Rh}}_{6}{\mathrm{Ge}}_{4}$ have been synthesized experimentally, the $R{\mathrm{Rh}}_{6}{\mathrm{Ge}}_{4}$ class of compounds will be an appropriate platform for studying exotic physical properties of triply degenerate topological semimetals.

Identifying the perfect absorption of metamaterial absorbers

Abstract: We present a detailed analysis of the conditions that result in unity absorption in metamaterial absorbers to guide the design and optimization of this important class of functional electromagnetic composites. Multilayer absorbers consisting of a metamaterial layer, dielectric spacer, and ground plane are specifically considered. Using interference theory, the dielectric spacer thickness and resonant frequency for unity absorption can be numerically determined from the functional dependence of the relative phase shift of the total reflection. Further, using transmission line theory in combination with interference theory we obtain analytical expressions for the unity absorption resonance frequency and corresponding spacer layer thickness in terms of the bare resonant frequency of the metamaterial layer and metallic and dielectric losses within the absorber structure. These simple expressions reveal a redshift of the unity absorption frequency with increasing loss that, in turn, necessitates an increase in the thickness of the dielectric spacer. The results of our analysis are experimentally confirmed by performing reflection-based terahertz time-domain spectroscopy on fabricated absorber structures covering a range of dielectric spacer thicknesses with careful control of the loss accomplished through water absorption in a semiporous polyimide dielectric spacer. Our findings can be widely applied to guide the design and optimization of the metamaterial absorbers and sensors.

Analysis of the thickness dependence of metamaterial absorbers at terahertz frequencies

Abstract: Metamaterial absorbers typically consist of a metamaterial layer, a dielectric spacer layer, and a metallic ground plane. We have investigated the dependence of the metamaterial absorption maxima on the spacer layer thickness and the reflection coefficient of the metamaterial layer obtained in the absence of the ground plane layer. Specifically, we employ interference theory to obtain an analytical expression for the spacer thickness needed to maximize the absorption at a given frequency. The efficacy of this simple expression is experimentally verified at terahertz frequencies through detailed measurements of the absorption spectra of a series of metamaterials structures with different spacer thicknesses. Using an array of split-ring resonators (SRRs) as the metamaterial layer and SU8 as the spacer material we observe that the absorption peaks redshift as the spacer thickness is increased, in excellent agreement with our analysis. Our findings can be applied to guide metamaterial absorber designs and understand the absorption peak frequency shift of sensors based on metamaterial absorbers.

Terahertz metamaterial perfect absorber with continuously tunable air spacer layer

Abstract: We present a comprehensive investigation of a continuously tunable metamaterial perfect absorber operating at terahertz frequencies. In particular, we investigate a three-layer absorber structure consisting of a layer of split ring resonators and a metallic ground plane, with a central layer consisting of a mechanically tunable air-spaced layer. The absorber was characterized using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy in reflection (at normal incidence) as a function of spacer thickness from 0 to 1000 μm. Our experimental measurements reveal the detailed evolution of the absorption bands as a function of spacing, in excellent agreement with analysis using interference theory and simulation. Our Fabry-Perot-like structure provides an avenue for achieving massive tunability in metamaterial absorber devices.

Ultrafast terahertz spectroscopy study of a Kondo insulating thin-film Sm B 6 : Evidence for an emergent surface state

Abstract: We utilize terahertz time domain spectroscopy to investigate thin films of the heavy fermion compound $\mathrm{Sm}{\mathrm{B}}_{6}$, a prototype Kondo insulator. Temperature-dependent terahertz (THz) conductivity measurements reveal a rapid decrease in the Drude weight and carrier scattering rate at $\ensuremath{\sim}{T}^{*}=20\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, well below the hybridization gap onset temperature (100 K). Moreover, a low-temperature conductivity plateau (below 20 K) suggests the emergence of a surface state with an effective electron mass of $0.1{m}_{e}$. The conductivity dynamics following optical excitation is also measured and interpreted using Rothwarf-Taylor (R-T) phenomenology, yielding a hybridization gap energy of 17 meV. However, R-T modeling of the conductivity dynamics reveals a deviation from the expected thermally excited quasiparticle density at temperatures below 20 K, indicative of another channel opening up in the low-energy electrodynamics. Taken together, these results are consistent with the onset of a surface state well below the crossover temperature (100 K) after long-range coherence of the $f$-electron Kondo lattice is established.

An air-spaced terahertz metamaterial perfect absorber

Abstract: Metamaterial absorbers are typically comprised of a layer of split-ring resonators and a ground plane with a dielectric spacer layer that provides structural support and in which absorbed energy is deposited. We address the question “What happens to the absorption if the spacer layer is removed?” through the design, fabrication, and characterization of a terahertz metamaterial absorber with air as the spacer layer. Reflection based terahertz time-domain spectroscopy was employed to measure the absorption and interference theory was used to interpret the results. The surface current in the gold ground plane and split-ring resonator layer is solely responsible for the absorption in the form of joule heating. In comparison to dielectric spacer layer absorbers, the quality factor is increased by a factor of ∼3. The electric field is highly concentrated in the volume between split-ring resonator layer and the ground plane offering the potential for novel sensing application if materials can be incorporated into this region (e.g. with microfluidics). In the spirit of this possibility, simulations of the absorption have been performed. The variation of the real part of the permittivity of the spacer material results in an absorption peak frequency shift, while a change in the imaginary part affects the quality factor and amplitude. Ultimately, the high quality factor and the absence of the spacer material provide the air-spacer metamaterial absorber with unique advantages for sensing applications.

Ultrafast dynamics and control in high-temperature superconductors

Abstract: We have investigated nonequilibrium superconductivity in c-axis oriented crystals of of $\mathbf{La}2-\mathbf{xBa}_{\mathrm{x}}\mathbf{CuO}_{4}$ We utilize the c-axis electromagnetic response to monitor the superconductivity following short pulse excitation. We observe a long-lived state upon photo-induced collapse of the stripe-ordered phase. The spectroscopic signatures are consistent with an inhomogeneous response containing photo-induced regions of enhanced condensate density.