Polyvinylidene Fluoride-Based Metasurface for High-Quality Active Switching and Spectrum Shaping in the Terahertz G-Band

We report theoretical investigations performed in the terahertz G-band, in the 228-232 GHz spectral window for a piezoelectrically-responsive ring-cone element metasurface composed of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/Silicon and PVDF/Silica glass. The choosing of this spectral window is motivated by a multitude of applications in terahertz detection and terahertz imaging, that commonly make use of this band. The uniqueness of the envisioned architecture resides in the combination between the readily-available polyvinylidene fluoride polymer and silicon/silica glass substrates, together with the introduction of an extra degree of freedom, in the form of a ring-cone architecture, and the active control of the geometric sizes through the longitudinal piezoelectric effect exhibited by the polymer. The spectral response of the metasurface is dependent on the combination between the polymer elements and the substrate, and ranges from near-zero absorption switching to a resonant behavior and significant absorption. The interaction between the electromagnetic field and the polymer-based metasurface also modifies the phase of the reflected and transmitted waves over a full 2 pi range, permitting complete control of the electric field polarization. Moreover, we take advantage of the longitudinal piezoelectric effect of PVDF and analyze the spectrum shaping capability of the polymer-based metasurface. Our analysis highlights the capability of the proposed architecture to achieve complete electric field polarization control, near-zero optical switching and resonant behavior, depending on the geometries and sizes of the architecture elements resulting from construction considerations and from the externally applied voltages through the piezoelectric effect.

Automated summary

Theoretical investigations were conducted in the terahertz G-band for a piezoelectrically-responsive ring-cone element metasurface, showing the capability to achieve complete electric field polarization control, near-zero optical switching, and resonant behavior. The metasurface's spectral response is dependent on the combination of polymer elements and substrates, with the ability to modify the phase of reflected and transmitted waves for full electric field polarization control. The architecture's uniqueness lies in the combination of readily-available materials and the introduction of an extra degree of freedom through the longitudinal piezoelectric effect, offering potential for various terahertz applications.