Linear Frequency Conversion Research Articles

Linear Terahertz Frequency Conversion in a Temporal‐Boundary Metasurface

AbstractLinear frequency conversion enabled by a temporal boundary of a resonant cavity provides a promising alternative to generating new frequency components, where the temporal boundary can be introduced by rapidly modifying the refractive index of the cavity. However, the perturbed photon dynamics during the ultrafast linear process is still vague. Here, the photon dynamics based on temporal coupled‐mode theory are explored and the phenomena are demonstrated with a silicon metasurface via simulations and experiments in the terahertz regime. With the time‐varying real and imaginary parts of the refractive index, a periodic modulation (Td) of the amplification coefficient of the newly generated photons is observed where the optimized coefficient occurs in the first period at td = Td /2. It further establishes a dynamic critical coupling condition to improve the amplification coefficient in the dynamic process. The scheme of linear frequency conversion via temporal boundary can revolutionize the paradigm of parametric amplification from nonlinear to linear processes, and conversion efficiency will be improved in a high‐quality factor cavity. The ultrafast modulation will find applications in optical signal processing, modulators, and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces for development of the next‐generation communications.

Linear-frequency conversion with time-varying metasurfaces

Frequency conversion is a hallmark of nonlinearity. The spectral manifestations, emergent within a system, can typically be attributed to a marked nonlinearity within the material properties, complex geometric configurations, and/or the unique functional form of interactions taking place in the constitutive subsystems. These phenomena, irrespective of their origins, have been harnessed and exploited in applications ranging from the generation of entangled photons, a cornerstone in quantum technologies, to nanomechanical frequency mixing, advancing subsurface scanning probe microscopy. Here, we propose a frequency conversion mechanism based on time-varying metasurfaces, an emerging frontier in metamaterial research. We show how temporal properties of metasurfaces can effectively emulate a nonlinear medium, thereby facilitating frequency conversion. The proposed material configuration has the potential not only to advance integrated photonics and quantum optics, but also to create opportunities in quantum sensing, quantum materials, and crucially quantum communications. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Frequency-domain Hong-Ou-Mandel interference in cold atoms with induced atomic coherence

Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) interference with two independent photons of different wavelengths is a primary tool for controlled transfer of quantum information across a hybrid quantum network such as the quantum internet, in which the diverse material nodes operate at different resonant frequencies. The key challenge of realizing two-photon interference in the frequency domain is the need for linear frequency conversion between spectrally distinct photons, which, in contrast to frequency mixing in nonlinear optical processes, is free from multiphoton noise arising in strong laser fields. Here, we present a linear HOM scheme based on a lossless three-wave mixing between two photons of different frequencies in the laser-controlled tripod-type atoms, where the parametric interaction between photons is triggered by the induced coherence between two metastable states of the atoms [S. Petrosyan et al., Phys. Rev. A 105, 052606 (2022)]. We give the general derivation of the HOM effect and examine it for two single-pulse photons and in the important case of time-bin encoded single photons, which are well protected from decoherence in optical fibers. We show that two-photon coincidence measurements display the HOM-type ``dip and peak'' fringes according to the number of time bins in the incident photon state, allowing full recovery of the original quantum information. An essential feature of our scheme is the neutrality of the HOM effect implementation to the polarization indistinguishability of photons, which makes our model flexible for use in hybrid quantum networks.

Picosecond mode switching and Higgs amplitude mode in superconductor-metal hybrid terahertz metasurface

Abstract The ultrafast modulation of terahertz (THz) waves is essential for numerous applications, such as high-rate wireless communication, nonreciprocal transmission, and linear frequency conversion. However, high-speed THz devices are rare due to the lack of materials that rapidly respond to external stimuli. Here, we demonstrate a dynamic THz metasurface by introducing an ultrathin superconducting microbridge into metallic resonators to form a superconductor-metal hybrid structure. Exploiting the susceptibility of superconducting films to external optical and THz pumps, we realized resonance mode switching within a few picoseconds. The maximum on/off ratio achieved is 11 dB. The observed periodic oscillation of transmission spectra both in the time and frequency domain under intense THz pump pulse excitation reveals the excitation of Higgs amplitude mode, which is used to realize picosecond scale THz modulation. This study opens the door to ultrafast manipulation of THz waves using collective modes of condensates, and highlights an avenue for developing agile THz modulation devices.

Pure and Linear Frequency-Conversion Temporal Metasurface

Metasurfaces are ultrathin structures which are constituted by an array of subwavelength scatterers with designable scattering responses. They have opened up unprecedented exciting opportunities for extraordinary wave engineering processes. On the other hand, frequency converters have drawn wide attention due to their vital applications in telecommunication systems, health care devices, radio astronomy, military radars and biological sensing systems. Here, we show that a spurious-free and linear frequency converter metasurface can be realized by leveraging unique properties of engineered transmissive temporal supercells. Such a metasurface is formed by time-modulated supercells; themselves are composed of temporal and static patch resonators and phase shifters. This represents the first frequency converter metasurface possessing large frequency conversion ratio with controllable frequency bands and transmission magnitude. In contrast to conventional nonlinear mixers, the proposed temporal frequency converter offers a linear response. In addition, by taking advantage of the proposed surface-interconnector-phaser-surface (SIPS) architecture, a spurious-free and linear frequency conversion is achievable, where all undesired mixing products are strongly suppressed. The proposed metasurface may be digitally controlled and programmed through a field programmable gate array. This makes the spurious-free and linear frequency converter metasurface a prominent solution for wireless and satellite telecommunication systems, as well as invisibility cloaks and radars. This study opens a way to realize more complicated and enhanced-efficiency spectrum-changing metasurface.

Frequency‐Agile Temporal Terahertz Metamaterials

AbstractSpatiotemporal manipulation of electromagnetic waves has recently enabled a plethora of exotic optical functionalities, such as non‐reciprocity, dynamic wavefront control, unidirectional transmission, linear frequency conversion, and electromagnetic Doppler cloak. Here, an additional dimension is introduced for advanced manipulation of terahertz waves in the space‐time, and frequency domains through integration of spatially reconfigurable microelectromechanical systems and photoresponsive material into metamaterials. A large and continuous frequency agility is achieved through movable microcantilevers. The ultrafast resonance modulation occurs upon photoexcitation of ion‐irradiated silicon substrate that hosts the microcantilever metamaterial. The fabricated metamaterial switches in 400 ps and provides large spectral tunability of 250 GHz with 100% resonance modulation at each frequency. The integration of perfectly complementing technologies of microelectromechanical systems, femtosecond optical control and ion‐irradiated silicon provides unprecedented concurrent control over space, time, and frequency response of metamaterial for designing frequency‐agile spatiotemporal modulators, active beamforming, and low‐power frequency converters for the next generation terahertz wireless communications.

Quad-band linear terahertz frequency conversion in time-varying metasurfaces

In this Letter, a quad-band linear frequency conversion prototype is proposed and investigated in terahertz region based on a time-varying metasurface. The unit cell of the metasurface consists of four pairs of concentric split-ring resonators loaded with photoactive silicon. By changing the conductivity of photoactive silicon via optical pump, both static and time-varying metasurfaces are achieved and investigated. Numerical results show that the transmission spectrum of the static metasurface has four merged resonant frequencies at 0.49THz, 0.58THz, 0.71THz, 0.81THz respectively, and linear frequency conversion appears at these four frequencies under the modulation of time-varying metasurface. The conversion linearity is also verified by applying dual-band bandpass filters with different center frequency. The coefficients of determination are 0.98, 0.94, 0.87, 0.96 correspondingly. This prototype provides a new approach for realizing quad-band frequency conversion for ambient terahertz wave and has wide applications in terahertz imaging and communication systems.

Metamaterials for Enhanced Optical Responses and their Application to Active Control of Terahertz Waves.

Metamaterials, artificially constructed structures that mimic lattices in natural materials, have made numerous contributions to the development of unconventional optical devices. With an increasing demand for more diverse functionalities, terahertz (THz) metamaterials are also expanding their domain, from the realm of mere passive devices to the broader area where functionalized active THz devices are particularly required. A brief review on THz metamaterials is given with a focus on research conducted in the authors' group. The first part is centered on enhanced THz optical responses from tightly coupled meta-atom structures, such as high refractive index, enhanced optical activity, anomalous wavelength scaling, large phase retardation, and nondispersive polarization rotation. Next, electrically gated graphene metamaterials are reviewed with an emphasis on the functionalization of enhanced THz optical responses. Finally, the linear frequency conversion of THz waves in a rapidly time-variant THz metamaterial is briefly discussed in the more general context of spatiotemporal control of light.

Linear frequency conversion via sudden merging of meta-atoms in time-variant metasurfaces

The energy of an electromagnetic wave is converted as the wave passes through a temporal boundary. Thus, effective temporal control of the medium is critical for frequency conversion. Here, we propose rapidly time-variant metasurfaces as a frequency-converting platform and experimentally demonstrate their efficacy at terahertz frequencies. The proposed metasurface is designed for the sudden merging of two distinct metallic meta-atoms into a single one upon ultrafast optical excitation. This sudden merging creates a spectrally designed temporal boundary on the metasurface, by which the frequency conversion can be achieved and engineered. Interestingly, the time delay between the abrupt temporal boundary and the input terahertz pulse is found to be strongly related to the phase of the converted wave as well as its amplitude. As the proposed scheme does not rely on the nonlinearity, it may be particularly advantageous for the frequency conversion of waves with weak intensities. A linear frequency conversion based on the sudden merging of two distinct split-ring resonators into a single resonator on a rapidly time-variant THz metasurface is reported.

Resonant ultrasonic imaging of defects for advanced non-linear and thermosonic applications

An efficient wave–defect interaction is the key to high non–linear and thermal responses of flaws to be applied in ultrasonic imaging for non–destructive material evaluation. To selectively enhance defect vibrations a concept of local defect resonance is developed and applied to ultrasonic activation of defects. The frequency match between the defect resonance frequency and the probing ultrasonic wave results in a substantial rise of the defect non–linear response and its local temperature. The non–linear applications of this concept demonstrated in this paper cover both the higher harmonic and frequency mixing modes. The defect resonance is shown to be accompanied by depletion of the excitation frequency vibration due to non–linear frequency conversion to higher harmonics. The local generation of higher frequency components provides a high thermal defect response in such acoustically non–linear thermosonic mode.

Linearized mixer using predistortion technique

A predistortion technique has been proposed to reduce intermodulation distortion (IMD) generated from the conversion process of a mixer. In this technique, the IMD generated from a mixer in the IF band was cancelled by the controlled RF error signal, which is generated by a predistorter. The magnitude and phase of the RF error signal were properly adjusted through a vector modulator. This linearization technique has been verified by experiment of a down conversion mixer in the cellular band. A two tone test has been performed at the frequency of 836 MHz with 442 kHz separation. The results show that this method improves about 16 dB of IMD3 at -18 dBm IF output power in 10 MHz frequency band and increases about 3.5 dB of P1 dB of the mixer. Simple topology and good performance in linearization of IF signals renders this technique suitable for highly linear frequency conversion in communication systems.

Homodyne network analyzer with cascaded digital phase shifters

A network analyzer system employing a digital phase modulation and linear frequency conversion of the test signal is described. The system makes use of a microcomputer as a key component and operates as a precise RF-vector voltmeter over the full X-band (8.0-12.4 GHz) without the need for calibration standards. Measurement results for an insertion-loss range of up to 65 dB are presented.