Physics (Internal)

Near-Field Interactions in Terahertz Metamaterials: Complex, Tunable, and Nonlinear Material Responses at Terahertz Frequencies

This event is part of the Departmental Seminars.

Dissertation Committee:

Abstract: Metamaterials (MM) research continues to bear fruit in the form of novel devices and optics across the electromagnetic spectrum. This is especially true at terahertz (THz) frequencies, where MM based optics, absorbers, and detectors have helped to close the so called ‘terahertz gap.’ Additionally, MMs provide a platform for the creation of localized regions of electric field amplification, termed electric field enhancement, which pave the way for new spectroscopic studies of nonlinear material responses at THz frequencies. Finally, recent developments in nonlinear MMs allow for the creation of strong optical nonlinearities at THz frequencies, promising new applications for MMs as nonlinear THz optics such as saturable absorbers.

Despite this significant progress, the design of MM devices with dynamically tunable and broad-bandwidth responses is challenging, the methods to control the electric field enhancement within the MM unit cell are limited, and the study of MM nonlinearities is still in its initial stages. In this seminar, I will review the study of near field interactions, or coupling, in MM designs. I will present the results of several MM experiments that highlight how the manipulation of interactions within the MM unit cell can help to overcome the obstacles in the path towards broad-bandwidth MMs, control over MM electric field enhancement, and the design of nonlinear MMs.