Multiple interference theoretical model for graphene metamaterial-based tunable broadband terahertz linear polarization converter design and optimization

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) polarization converters often working as modulators and switches have many applications in THz sensing, imaging and communication, but many of them still suffer from low polarization conversion efficiency, fixed and narrow polarization conversion band, and low output polarization purity, which are mainly due to the lack of theoretical model for THz polarization converter design and optimization. In order to solve the problem, we adopt multiple interference theory to successfully design and optimize a graphene metamaterial-based tunable broadband THz linear polarization converter: it achieves polarization conversion ratio (PCR) over 0.97, polarization azimuth angle of almost ±90° and rather low ellipticity within a broad polarization conversion band of 1.25 THz; and additionally, its polarization conversion band can be actively tuned by adjusting the graphene chemical potential and almost insensitive to the incident THz radiation angle below 50°. Considering the high performance of the optimal graphene metamaterial-based tunable broadband THz linear polarization converter, this work provides an optimal design offering a way in high-quality manipulation of THz radiation polarization; but more importantly, delivers a theoretical model for tunable THz polarization converter design and optimization.