Highly conformable terahertz metasurface absorbers via two-photon polymerization on polymeric ultra-thin films

The continuously increasing interest in flexible and integrated photonics requires new strategies for device manufacturing on arbitrary complex surfaces and with smallest possible size, respectively. Terahertz (THz) technology can particularly benefit from this achievement to make compact systems for emission, detection and on-demand manipulation of THz radiation. Here, we present a novel fabrication method to realize conformable terahertz metasurfaces. The flexible and versatile character of polymeric nanomembranes is combined with direct laser writing via two-photon polymerization to develop free-standing ultra-thin quasi-perfect plasmonic absorbers with an unprecedentedly high level of conformability. Moreover, revealing new flexible dielectric materials presenting low absorption and permittivity in the THz range, this work paves the way for the realization of ultra-thin, conformable hybrid or all-dielectric devices to enhance and enlarge the application of THz technologies, and flexible photonics in general.

Automated summary

The continuously increasing interest in flexible and integrated photonics has led to the development of new strategies for manufacturing devices on complex surfaces and with small sizes. Terahertz (THz) technology can greatly benefit from this advancement to create compact systems for emitting, detecting, and manipulating THz radiation. This research presents a novel fabrication method that uses polymeric nanomembranes and direct laser writing to create conformable terahertz metasurfaces. By using new flexible dielectric materials with low absorption and permittivity, this work also enables the realization of ultra-thin, flexible hybrid or all-dielectric devices, expanding the application of THz technologies and flexible photonics.