Active terahertz metamaterial devices

US7826504B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC · US

Inventors

• Houtong Chen · Los Alamos, US
• Willie Padilla · Newton, US
• Richard D. Averitt · Newton, US
• John F. O'Hara · Stillwater, US
• Mark Lee · Berkeley Heights, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 3, 2009
• Grant date: Nov 2, 2010
• Expiry date: Apr 24, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01Q15/0086
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Metamaterial structures are taught which provide for the modulation of terahertz frequency signals. Each element within an array of metamaterial (MM) elements comprises multiple loops and at least one gap. The MM elements may comprise resonators with conductive loops and insulated gaps, or the inverse in which insulated loops are present with conductive gaps; each providing useful transmissive control properties. The metamaterial elements are fabricated on a semiconducting substrate configured with a means of enhancing or depleting electrons from near the gaps of the MM elements. An on to off transmissivity ratio of about 0.5 is achieved with this approach. Embodiments are described in which the MM elements incorporated within a Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) to provide surface emitting (SE) properties.