Switching THz Resonances by Mechanical Bending

Abstract

We demonstrated a switchable terahertz (THz) resonator by bending it outward with different radius curvatures (RCs), accordingly changing the shape of a diabolo array to a bowtie array. The resonance frequency switched to 0.5 THz and 1.08 THz as the flexible substrate of the resonator was flattened and bent. We analyzed the electrical properties in the I- V curve and optical properties in THz transmission spectra for the cases on flattening/bending/re-flattening after bending the resonator. A switchable THz resonator remains functional even though the operation originates from distorting the metallic array.