Switchable tri-function terahertz metasurface based on polarization vanadium dioxide and photosensitive silicon

Abstract

A terahertz switchable metasurface with the function of absorption and polarization conversion is proposed. It consists of metal pattern layer - dielectric layer - VO 2 layer - dielectric layer - metal pattern layer, and the photosensitive silicon is embedded in the metal pattern. When VO 2 is in insulated state, the metasurface behaves as a linear polarization converter. The polarization conversion rate (PCR) is more than 90% at two frequency bands of 1.64 THz ∼ 1.91 THz and 2.35 THz ∼ 2.75 THz. The polarization converter has good asymmetric transmission ability. Moreover, the polarization conversion performance can be dynamically controlled by changing the conductivity of the photosensitive silicon. When VO 2 is in metallic state, the metasurface becomes a terahertz bidirectional absorber, which exhibits different absorption properties under TE and TM waves with the maximum absorptance reaching to 100%. In addition, the absorption of TE and TM terahertz waves can be controlled at the specific frequency by changing the conductivity of photosensitive silicon. We also explore the application of dynamic control of polarization waves in the near-field image display.