Experimental demonstration of tunable phase in a thermochromic infrared-reflectarray metamaterial

Shelton, David; Coffey, Kevin R.; Boreman, Glenn D.

doi:10.1364/oe.18.001330

Cited by 33 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Therefore, the metacanvas is analogous to the FPGA in three aspects: the compilation of mathematical logics into hardware to suit different applications; the resultant multifunctionalities within one single device; and the real‐time reprogrammability after the device is already deployed. Unlike previous lithographically made VO 2 devices that can only be switched ON/OFF with permanent patterns and fixed functionalities, the lithography‐free metacanvas is fully reconfigurable in terms of both patterns and functionalities (see Section S2 in the Supporting Information for detailed comparison). As such, the rapid, cost‐effective, and reversible compilation of photonic operators on the rewritable metacanvas with lithography‐free, micrometer‐sized features potentially enables a rich collection of photonics research and applications.…”

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confidence: 99%

A Lithography‐Free and Field‐Programmable Photonic Metacanvas

et al. 2017

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The unique correspondence between mathematical operators and photonic elements in wave optics enables quantitative analysis of light manipulation with individual optical devices. Phase-transition materials are able to provide real-time reconfigurability of these devices, which would create new optical functionalities via (re)compilation of photonic operators, as those achieved in other fields such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA). Here, by exploiting the hysteretic phase transition of vanadium dioxide, an all-solid, rewritable metacanvas on which nearly arbitrary photonic devices can be rapidly and repeatedly written and erased is presented. The writing is performed with a low-power laser and the entire process stays below 90 °C. Using the metacanvas, dynamic manipulation of optical waves is demonstrated for light propagation, polarization, and reconstruction. The metacanvas supports physical (re)compilation of photonic operators akin to that of FPGA, opening up possibilities where photonic elements can be field programmed to deliver complex, system-level functionalities.

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confidence: 99%

A Lithography‐Free and Field‐Programmable Photonic Metacanvas

et al. 2017

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“…Thermochromic metamaterials have already demonstrated how temperature can control spectral and phase displacement in plasmonic devices [21]. The design presented here uses a single optical antenna as an IR spectrometer with a very high spatial resolution and polarization sensitivity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spectral Response of Metallic Optical Antennas Driven by Temperature

et al. 2016

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When optical antennas are used as light detectors, temperature changes their spectral response. Using this relation, we determine the spectrum of a light beam from an optical antenna’s signal. A numerical evaluation of the temperature-spectral response has been completed with a model for the noise of the device. Using both the response and the noise model, we have established the capabilities of the device by quantifying the error in the spectrum determination both for broadband spectrum and monochromatic radiation.

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“…For instance, nanogap gold antennae have been coupled with graphene for voltage tuning 7 and vanadium oxide (VO 2 ) frequency-selective surfaces have been fabricated which rely on thermal tuning through the phase transition of VO 2 . 8 These studies did demonstrate intriguing novel concepts; however, the technology is far from mature -quality factors of resonant structures are less than 2 and tuning speeds have not been extensively characterized.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fast, electrically tunable filters for hyperspectral imaging

et al. 2014

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Tunable, narrow-wavelength spectral filters with a ms response in the mid-wave/long-wave infrared (MW/LWIR) are an enabling technology for hyperspectral imaging systems. Few commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components for this application exist, including filter wheels, movable gratings, and Fabry-Perot (FP) etalon-based devices. These devices can be bulky, fragile and often do not have the required response speed.Here, we present a fundamentally different approach for tunable reflective IR filters, based on coupling subwavelength plasmonic antenna arrays with liquid crystals (LCs). Our device operates in reflective mode and derives its narrow bandwidth from diffractive coupling of individual antenna elements. The wavelength tunability of the device arises from electrically-induced re-orientation of the LC material in intimate contact with antenna array. This re-orientation, in turn, induces a change in the local dielectric environment of the antenna array, leading to a wavelength shift.We will first present results of full-field optimization of micron-size antenna geometries to account for complex 3D LC anisotropy. We have fabricated these antenna arrays on IR-transparent CaF 2 substrates utilizing electron beam lithography, and have demonstrated tunability using 5CB, a commercially available LC. However, the design can be extended to high-birefringence liquid crystals for an increased tuning range. Our initial results demonstrate >60% peak reflectance in the 4-6 µm wavelength range with a tunability of 0.2 µm with re-orientation of the surface alignment layers. Preliminary electrical switching has been demonstrated and is being optimized.

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Experimental demonstration of tunable phase in a thermochromic infrared-reflectarray metamaterial

Cited by 33 publications

References 25 publications

A Lithography‐Free and Field‐Programmable Photonic Metacanvas

A Lithography‐Free and Field‐Programmable Photonic Metacanvas

Spectral Response of Metallic Optical Antennas Driven by Temperature

Fast, electrically tunable filters for hyperspectral imaging

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