Terahertz epsilon-near-zero cut-through metal-slit array antenna

Abstract

Metamaterials can give rise to unprecedented refractive indices and drive the rapid development of metadevices with on-demand electromagnetic properties. Recent advances in terahertz science demand high-performance optical elements beyond conventional designs of naturally occurring materials in the terahertz wave band. However, how an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) structure can exploit terahertz metadevices is still not fully demonstrated based on a physical analysis. Here, inspired by the ENZ concept, we demonstrate a design guideline of a terahertz ENZ cut-through metal-slit array antenna. Measurements by a terahertz imager visualize the beam profile of a terahertz wave, and the measured permittivity of 0.26 agrees well with that of 0.27 obtained by simulation and theory. The terahertz ENZ antenna provides a wide range of potential applications such as high-directivity antennas, beam dividers, beam-steering elements, phase-control devices, and novel filters.