Electrically controlled broadband THz switch based on liquid-crystal-filled multi-layer metallic grating structures

Abstract

We propose an electrically controlled broadband THz switch based on the liquid-crystal-filled multilayer metallic grating (MMG) structures. During the THz wave passing thought the device, it is multiple reflected among the MMG layers and suffers loss due to the absorption of the LC. The on and off state of the switch is realized by the different absorption intensity of the LC when its complex refractive index is switched between ordinary no and extraordinary ne value in the presence of an electric field. Simulation results show the proposed device exhibits a respectable switching effect for the THz wave over a wide frequency range.