Optically Reconfigurable THz Metamaterial with Switchable Wideband Absorption and Transmission

Abstract

We present an optically reconfigurable multifunctional metamaterial with switchable wideband absorption and transmission across the THz frequency range. The reconfigurability is achieved by introducing optically active silicon into the resonator of the metamaterial unit which could be effectively modulated through external electrical pumping. When the silicon conductivity reaches 50,000 S/m, the metamaterial shows significant absorption of electromagnetic waves ranging from 3.1 to 10 THz. By reducing the applied external pump power and decreasing the silicon conductivity to 150 S/m, the proposed metamaterial exhibits transmission of the incident waves at 5.12 THz with a transmission coefficient of 61%. The proposed optically reconfigurable metamaterial has the advantages of simple structure, wideband absorption, and switchable between absorption and transmission modes, showing potential applications in stealth, communication, or radar systems.