Experimental study on terahertz metamaterial embedded in nematic liquid crystal

We present an electrically tunable metamaterial device consisting of a periodic array of crossed elements embedded in nematic liquid crystal. Our experimental results show that the transmittance and absorption coefficient of the metamaterial device can be substantially tuned (with an absorption coefficient change of up to 22% for 0.82 THz) by switching the liquid crystal alignment, induced by applying an external voltages applied to the wire electrodes. Structured tunable devices may find applications in modulation and switching elements operating in the visible-infrared-terahertz and microwave regimes. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.