Low-loss flexible bilayer metamaterials in THz regime.

Low insertion-loss single-layer and bilayer metamaterial filters in terahertz (THz) frequency regime were demonstrated on top of low cost flexible Scotch tape by utilizing pattern transfer method. The transmittance of the flexible 51-µm-thick Scotch tape was found out to be higher than 0.85 in the range of 0.2 to 3 THz, which is excellent for the substrate materials for THz applications. Free standing filters exhibited record low insertion loss of 0.6 dB and band rejection ratio as high as 30 dB. The resonance reflection characteristics of the bilayer filters were maintained when they were attached on top of curved PET bottle or metallic surfaces, providing promising application in THz identifications.

Plasma-discharge-integrated slot structure for microwave power limiter.

A slot structure was combined with a discharge electrode to limit incident high-power microwaves via the integration of plasma discharge. At the target resonating frequency of 9.45 GHz, the surface current was concentrated at an electrode, and the electric field was enhanced by the proposed design to lower the response power level of the incident signal. When a low-power signal is injected, plasma is not generated, and the incident wave travels without insertion loss. Double-stage slot structures were utilized to broaden the band-pass characteristics in the frequency domain, and the demonstrated plasma limiter exhibited an insertion loss of 1.01 dB at 9.45 GHz. The xenon gas pressure was optimized with the shortest distance of 100 µm between the upper and lower electrodes to reduce the discharge power of the plasma. In the case of a high-power signal input, as xenon-gas breakdown occurred, the transmitted signal was close to zero, and most of the high-power signal was reflected with a blocking efficiency of 40.55 dB. The demonstrated result will be useful to protect the receiver of a radio detection and ranging system from the high power microwave.

A terahertz in-line polarization converter based on through-via connected double layer slot structures.

A terahertz (THz) in-line polarization converter that yields a polarization conversion ratio as high as 99.9% is demonstrated at 1 THz. It has double-layer slot structures oriented in orthogonal directions that are electrically connected by 1/8-wavelngth-long through-via holes beside the slot structures. The slots on the front metal-plane respond to the incident THz wave with polarization orthogonal to the slots and generates a circulating surface current around the slots. The surface current propagates along a pair of through-via holes that function as a two-wire transmission line. The propagating current generates a surface current around the backside slot structures oriented orthogonal to the slot structures on the front metal layer. The circulating current generates a terahertz wave polarized orthogonal to the backside slot structures and the 90° polarization conversion is completed. The re-radiating THz wave with 90° converted polarization propagates in the same direction as the incident THz wave.

High Volumetric Energy Density Hybrid Supercapacitors Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide Scrolls.

The low volumetric energy density of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based electrodes limits its application in commercial electrochemical energy storage devices that require high-performance energy storage capacities in small volumes. The volumetric energy density of rGO-based electrode materials is very low due to their low packing density. A supercapacitor with enhanced packing density and high volumetric energy density is fabricated using doped rGO scrolls (GFNSs) as the electrode material. The restacking of rGO sheets is successfully controlled through synthesizing the doped scroll structures while increasing the packing density. The fabricated cell exhibits an ultrahigh volumetric energy density of 49.66 Wh/L with excellent cycling stability (>10 000 cycles). This unique design strategy for the electrode material has significant potential for the future supercapacitors with high volumetric energy densities.

Terahertz Modulator based on Metamaterials integrated with Metal-Semiconductor-Metal Varactors.

The terahertz (THz) band of the electromagnetic spectrum, with frequencies ranging from 300 GHz to 3 THz, has attracted wide interest in recent years owing to its potential applications in numerous areas. Significant progress has been made toward the development of devices capable of actively controlling terahertz waves; nonetheless, further advances in device functionality are necessary for employment of these devices in practical terahertz systems. Here, we demonstrate a low voltage, sharp switching terahertz modulator device based on metamaterials integrated with metal semiconductor metal (MSM) varactors, fabricated on an AlGaAs/InGaAs based heterostructure. By varying the applied voltage to the MSM-varactor located at the center of split ring resonator (SRR), the resonance frequency of the SRR-based metamaterial is altered. Upon varying the bias voltage from 0 V to 3 V, the resonance frequency exhibits a transition from 0.52 THz to 0.56 THz, resulting in a modulation depth of 45 percent with an insertion loss of 4.3 dB at 0.58 THz. This work demonstrates a new approach for realizing active terahertz devices with improved functionalities.

Graphene oxide-phosphor hybrid nanoscrolls with high luminescent quantum yield: synthesis, structural, and X-ray absorption studies.

Highly luminescent graphene oxide (GO)-phosphor hybrid thin films with a maximum quantum yield of 9.6% were synthesized via a simple chemical method. An intense luminescence emission peak at 537 nm and a broad emission peak at 400 nm were observed from the GO-phosphor hybrid films. The maximum quantum yield of the emissions from the hybrid films was found to be 9.6%, which is 48 times higher than that of pristine GO films. The GO-phosphor hybrids were prepared via spin-coating and subsequent postannealing of the films, resulting in scrolling of the GO sheets. The resulting GO nanoscrolls exhibited a length of ∼2 µm with nanoscale interior cavities. Transmission electron microscopy and selected-area electron diffraction analyses revealed that the lattice structure of the tubular scrolls is similar to that of carbon nanotubes. While pristine GO films are p-type, in the GO-phosphor hybrids, the Fermi level shifted upward and fell between the HOMO-LUMO gap due to phosphor attachment via C-N bonding. The highly luminescent GO-phosphor hybrids will find important applications in graphene-based optoelectronic devices.