Plasmonic Nanocomposite for Active Dielectric Metasurface Terahertz Absorbers

All-dielectric metasurfaces have aroused significant interest for terahertz (THz) absorption. However, traditional all-dielectric metasurfaces are usually not convenient to achieve dynamic modulation. To address this problem, we made a nanocomposite whose THz dielectric constant is responsive to light. A template printing method was used to pattern this nanocomposite on a flat substrate with a wide variety of shapes. Specifically, a THz absorber with cylindrical array was fabricated by this plasmonic nanocomposite. It shows that the dielectric constant of the nanocomposite can be effectively tuned by laser illumination and thus to realize active tuning of absorption peak of the absorber. Further, double layer metasurfaces were prepared by double printing, and a tunable broadband absorber was obtained. While this work shows immense potential in THz absorption, it may provide a powerful platform for other THz functional devices as well.

Automated summary

A nanocomposite with a light-responsive dielectric constant was prepared using a template printing method. The dielectric constant of the nanocomposite can be effectively tuned by laser illumination, enabling dynamic modulation of absorption peak. A tunable broadband absorber was obtained by double printing, showing immense potential in THz absorption and other THz functional devices.