Matched dielectric slot waveguide as an all-dielectric terahertz magnetic dipole.

We observe that the modal field distribution of a dielectric slot waveguide closely resembles a magnetic dipole antenna. Such an aperture distribution traditionally demands metals, making it ill-suited to high frequencies due to excessive ohmic loss. By terminating a dielectric slot waveguide with a matched free-space interface, a compact all-dielectric radiating magnetic dipole is realized. In this way, we introduce general-purpose dipole antennas, which have long been a mainstay of RF and microwave ranges, into the realm of light wave photonic integrated circuits. The existence of the desired magnetic dipole aperture distribution is experimentally confirmed in the terahertz range, at ∼275 GHz, and good matching is evident in the ∼-25 dB reflection level. This is the electrically smallest radiator to ever be incorporated into an all-dielectric waveguiding platform.

In the shadow of the laser phantom needle cross: dynamic air-plasma aperture sheds light on terahertz microscopy.

Two plasma filaments crossing above the target create a subwavelength window for terahertz microscopy that excludes any subwavelength probe in vicinity.

Half-Maxwell fisheye lens with photonic crystal waveguide for the integration of terahertz optics.

Currently, optics such as dielectric lenses and curved reflector dishes are commonplace in terahertz laboratories, as their functionality is of fundamental importance to the majority of applications of terahertz waves. However, such optics are typically bulky and require manual assembly and alignment. Here we seek to draw inspiration from the field of digital electronics, which underwent rapid acceleration following the advent of integrated circuits as a replacement for discrete transistors. For a comparable transition with terahertz optics, we must seek mask-oriented fabrication processes that simultaneously etch multiple interconnected integrated optics. To support this goal, terahertz beams are confined to two dimensions within a planar silicon slab, and a gradient-index half-Maxwell fisheye lens serves to launch such a slab-mode beam from a terahertz-range photonic crystal waveguide that is coupled to its focus. Both the optic and the waveguide are implemented with through-hole arrays and are fabricated in the same single-etch process. Experiments indicate that a slab-mode beam is launched with ∼86% efficiency, over a broad 3 dB bandwidth from ∼260 to ∼390 GHz, although these reported values are approximate due to obfuscation by variation that arises from reflections within the device.

Insulator-metal transition in substrate-independent VO2 thin film for phase-change devices.

Vanadium has 11 oxide phases, with the binary VO2 presenting stimuli-dependent phase transitions that manifest as switchable electronic and optical features. An elevated temperature induces an insulator-to-metal transition (IMT) as the crystal reorients from a monoclinic state (insulator) to a tetragonal arrangement (metallic). This transition is accompanied by a simultaneous change in optical properties making VO2 a versatile optoelectronic material. However, its deployment in scalable devices suffers because of the requirement of specialised substrates to retain the functionality of the material. Sensitivity to oxygen concentration and larger-scale VO2 synthesis have also been standing issues in VO2 fabrication. Here, we address these major challenges in harnessing the functionality in VO2 by demonstrating an approach that enables crystalline, switchable VO2 on any substrate. Glass, silicon, and quartz are used as model platforms to show the effectiveness of the process. Temperature-dependent electrical and optical characterisation is used demonstrating three to four orders of magnitude in resistive switching, >60% chromic discrimination at infrared wavelengths, and terahertz property extraction. This capability will significantly broaden the horizon of applications that have been envisioned but remained unrealised due to the lack of ability to realise VO2 on any substrate, thereby exploiting its untapped potential.

Demonstration of a highly efficient terahertz flat lens employing tri-layer metasurfaces.

We demonstrate a terahertz flat lens based on tri-layer metasurfaces allowing for broadband linear polarization conversion, where the phase can be tuned through a full 2π range by tailoring the geometry of the subwavelength resonators. The lens functionality is realized by arranging these resonators to create a parabolic spatial phase profile. The fabricated 124-µm-thick device is characterized by scanning the beam profile and cross section, showing diffraction-limited focusing and ∼68% overall efficiency at the operating frequency of 400 GHz. This device has potential for applications in terahertz imaging and communications, as well as beam control in general.

Analysis of 3D-printed metal for rapid-prototyped reflective terahertz optics.

We explore the potential of 3D metal printing to realize complex conductive terahertz devices. Factors impacting performance such as printing resolution, surface roughness, oxidation, and material loss are investigated via analytical, numerical, and experimental approaches. The high degree of control offered by a 3D-printed topology is exploited to realize a zone plate operating at 530 GHz. Reflection efficiency at this frequency is found to be over 90%. The high-performance of this preliminary device suggest that 3D metal printing can play a strong role in guided-wave and general beam control devices in the terahertz range.

Terahertz Magnetic Mirror Realized with Dielectric Resonator Antennas.

Single-crystal silicon is bonded to a metal-coated substrate and etched in order to form an array of microcylinder passive terahertz dielectric resonator antennas (DRAs). The DRAs exhibit a magnetic response, and hence the array behaves as an efficient artificial magnetic conductor (AMC), with potential for terahertz antenna and sensing applications.