Active terahertz metamaterial devices

Patent · Tue Nov 02 00:00:00 EDT 2010

OSTI ID:1014949

Chen, Houtong ^[1]; Padilla, Willie John ^[2]; Averitt, Richard Douglas ^[2]; O'Hara, John F ^[1]; Lee, Mark ^[3]

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1. Los Alamos, NM
2. Newton, MA
3. Albuquerque, NM

Metamaterial structures are taught which provide for the modulation of terahertz frequency signals. Each element within an array of metamaterial (MM) elements comprises multiple loops and at least one gap. The MM elements may comprise resonators with conductive loops and insulated gaps, or the inverse in which insulated loops are present with conductive gaps; each providing useful transmissive control properties. The metamaterial elements are fabricated on a semiconducting substrate configured with a means of enhancing or depleting electrons from near the gaps of the MM elements. An on to off transmissivity ratio of about 0.5 is achieved with this approach. Embodiments are described in which the MM elements incorporated within a Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) to provide surface emitting (SE) properties.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396
• Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC (Los Alamos, NM)
• Patent Number(s): 7,826,504
• Application Number: US Patent Application 12/418,064
• OSTI ID: 1014949
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English