Vanadium dioxide embedded frequency reconfigurable metasurface for multi-dimensional multiplexing of terahertz communication

Abstract

Multi-dimensional multiplexing based on the broadband metasurface is a promising candidate for the next generation terahertz (THz) communication system, which has become a research focus for data transmission rate and channel capacity enhancement. This paper proposes a THz frequency-reconfigurable metasurface hybridized with vanadium dioxide (VO2) for communication multiplexing on both dimensions of orbital angular momentum and frequency. Theoretically, 4 × n channel (n can be any positive integer) orthogonal coaxial beams carrying different data flow can be simultaneously generated based on the proposed metasurface in the tunable operating frequency band. The simulation results verify that the THz incident waves can be converted into orthogonal coaxial beams with different topological charges or frequencies, propagating perpendicular to the metasurface, when eight-channel oblique incident plane waves with varying angles or at various frequencies are reflected by the metasurface. The multi-dimensional multiplexing can be achieved in the frequency range of 0.29–0.39 THz and 0.24–0.34 THz with the VO2 switching between its fully insulating and metallic state. The proposed metasurface is expected to enable multi-band and broadband applications and has significant potential in high-speed and high-capacity THz communication.

Meta‐atom design and communication prototype for wideband reconfigurable intelligent surface

“…8 Another metasurface enables broadband applications by hybridizing with vanadium dioxide (VO 2 ). 9 However, a significant disconnect exists between the above designs and the goal of a reconfigurable gradient phase for RIS. The metasurface architecture utilized enables reconfigurable wideband phase-moduled characteristics 10 and wide-angle beam-scanning capability via PIN diodes.…”

“…Multilayer frequency‐selective surface structures are employed for relatively wideband reflectarray antennas 8 . Another metasurface enables broadband applications by hybridizing with vanadium dioxide (VO 2 ) 9 . However, a significant disconnect exists between the above designs and the goal of a reconfigurable gradient phase for RIS.…”

A Terahertz Programmable Digital Metasurface Based on Vanadium Dioxide

“…The excellent phase transition characteristics of VO 2 make it suitable for designing active coding metasurfaces. In recent years, various digital coding metasurfaces based on VO 2 have been widely considered, which can realize the functions of orbital angular momentum (OAM) manipulation [13][14][15], beam scanning [16,17], holographic imaging [18], and so on. An active metasurface based on VO 2 was proposed to manipulate the generated OAM beams [19], which works in the Ku band, controlling the linearly polarized waves.…”

Asymmetric Full-Color Vectorial Meta-holograms Empowered by Pairs of Exceptional Points

“…More importantly, instead of individual EPs, we combined the responses of two mirror-conjugated nanostructures, operating at two symmetrically opposite EPs, to further extend this asymmetric property to any arbitrary polarization state, enabling full polarization design covering the entire Poincaré sphere. By independently controlling the two basic optical degrees of freedom, wavelength and polarization, we unleash the vast potential of metasurfaces and provide powerful solutions in the fields of 3D full-color holography, full-color vectorial beam generation, high-security information storage and encryption, and multiband high-capacity optical communication …”

“…By independently controlling the two basic optical degrees of freedom, wavelength and polarization, we unleash the vast potential of metasurfaces and provide powerful solutions in the fields of 3D full-color holography, 53 fullcolor vectorial beam generation, 54 high-security information storage and encryption, 55 and multiband high-capacity optical communication. 56 The design principle of asymmetric full-color vectorial metaholograms based on non-Hermitian plasmonic metasurfaces operating around EPs is shown in Figure 1. The presence of the aluminum ground effectively blocks all of the transmission, leading to a metasurface operating in the reflection regime, which will be the focus of the following discussion.…”