Flexible all-optical terahertz switch based on electromagnetically induced transparent-like metamaterial

The electromagnetically induced transparent-like metamaterials have received much attention because of their excellent slow-light properties and strong nonlinear effects. They have many promising applications in novel terahertz functional devices, high-sensitivity sensors, and optical storages. In this paper, a flexible terahertz switching device based on the electromagnetically induced transparent-like effect was proposed. The device exhibited a significant slow light phenomenon without pumped laser. Meanwhile, it is demonstrated that the device has a large modulation depth and excellent tunable slow light performance with low-power pumped laser. Its amplitude modulation depth can reach 60.4% and the group delay modulation can reach 32.5 ps. And the minimum group velocity of the device in slow terahertz light can reach 0.69 x 105 m/s. Moreover, the flexible substrate of the proposed device is not easily damaged. It makes the device suited for more complex environments well. Therefore, the device will have great potential for future research on high-performance terahertz switching devices.

Automated summary

This paper proposes a flexible terahertz switching device based on the electromagnetically induced transparent-like effect, which exhibits significant slow light phenomenon and has large modulation depth and excellent tunable slow light performance. The device also has a low minimum group velocity in slow terahertz light. The flexible substrate of the device makes it suitable for complex environments.