Electrically tunable terahertz focusing modulator enabled by liquid crystal integrated dielectric metasurface

Abstract

Active lenses with focal tunable properties are highly desired in the modern imaging systems from the visible to the microwaves. In this paper, we demonstrate a terahertz (THz) lens with electrically switchable focal length. It is composed of a large‐birefringence liquid crystal (LC) layer infiltrating a dielectric metasurface. When the birefringence of LC is tuned with an external bias, the phase shift of a single meta‐unit will change. With parameter sweep using the finite‐different timedomain (FDTD) simulation method, meta‐units with varying geometries are optimized to achieve a focal length switchable metalens. The numerical results show that the focal length can be switched between 8.3 mm and 10.5 mm at bias OFF and ON states, respectively, which is consistent with the design. A feasible fabrication procedure of the lens is further discussed. Such a device can be designed beyond the THz band to the visible or the microwaves, and may be widely applied in integrated imaging systems.