Slow Light Devices Research Articles

High-Q and tunable analog of electromagnetically induced transparency in terahertz all-dielectric metamaterial.

We propose a novel all-dielectric metamaterial (ADMM), to the best of our knowledge, with a simple structure to achieve the analog of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in the terahertz range. The ADMM is constructed by unit cells with two same silicon bar resonators on a quartz substrate. By breaking the symmetrical array of silicon resonators, the guided-mode resonance can be excited in the substrate, and the destructive interference between a broadband electric-dipole resonance and a narrowband guided-mode resonance gives rise to an EIT-like response. The EIT window can reach a high quality factor (Q-factor) over 1500 by carefully adjusting the asymmetry degree within the unit cell. A dynamically tunable ADMM was further developed by employing photoactive doped silicon. By varying the carrier density of the doped silicon through optical pump, the strength of the EIT-like resonance can be actively modulated, enabling an on-to-off switch of the slow-light effect. The designed ADMM can achieve a high-Q EIT-like response and dynamic modulation, which may give potential applications in bio/chemical sensing, optical switching, and slow-light devices.

Sensing and slow light applications based on graphene metasurface in terahertz

A simple structure graphene metasurface composed of a continuous graphene strip and a truncated graphene strip is designed and investigated for sensing and slow light applications in terahertz. The results reveal that plasmonic-induced transparency (PIT) can be produced in our designed graphene metasurface with the destructive interference between bright and dark modes. Transmission, reflectivity, and absorbance spectra of optical response effectively tuned by the Fermi level, and numerical results are consistent with theoretical results of developed coupled mode theory (CMT). In addition, PIT window is also tuned by the polarization angle of the linearly polarized plane light. Intriguingly, owing to the surface plasmon has field enhancement and strong dispersion, our proposed graphene metasurface exhibit potential optical applications, such as the sensing and the slow light. The sensitivity and Figure of merit (FOM) for sensing characteristics reach up to 0.7928 THz/RIU and 8.12, respectively. The largest group index is of 511 for slow light effect. Therefore, our proposed graphene-based metasurface may be expected to make an important contribution in micro-nano optical sensing and slow light devices.

Tunable dual plasmon-induced transparency and slow-light analysis based on monolayer patterned graphene metamaterial

We propose a novel terahertz metamaterial structure based on patterned monolayer graphene. This structure produces an evident dual plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) phenomenon due to destructive interference between bright and dark modes. Since the Fermi level of graphene can be adjusted by an external bias voltage, the PIT phenomenon can be tuned by adjusting the voltage. Then the coupled-mode theory (CMT) is introduced to explore the internal mechanism of the PIT. After that, we investigate the variation of absorption rate at different graphene carrier mobilities, and it shows that the absorption rate of this structure can reach 50%, which is a guideline for the realization of graphene terahertz absorption devices. In addition, through the study of the slow-light performance for this structure, it is found that its group index is as high as 928, which provides a specific theoretical basis for the study of graphene slow-light devices.

Quadruple plasmon-induced transparency and tunable multi-frequency switch in monolayer graphene terahertz metamaterial

A monolayer graphene metamaterial composed of a graphene block and four graphene strips, which has the metal-like properties in terahertz frequency range, is proposed to generate an outstanding quadruple plasmon-induced transparency (PIT). Additional analyses show that the forming physical mechanism of the PIT with four transparency windows can be explained by strong destructive interference between the bright mode and the dark mode, and the distributions of electric field intensity and electric field vectors under the irradiation of the incident light. Coupled mode theory and finite-difference time-domain method are employed to study the spectral response characteristics of the proposed structure, and the theoretical and simulated results are in good agreement. It is found that a tunable multi-frequency switch and excellent optical storage can be achieved in the wide PIT window. The maximum modulation depth is up to 99.7%, which corresponds to the maximum extinction ratio of 25.04 dB and the minimum insertion loss of 0.19 dB. In addition, the time delay is as high as 0.919 ps, the corresponding group refractive index is up to 2755. Thus, the proposed structure provides a new method for the design of terahertz multi-frequency switches and slow light devices.

Full manipulation of transparency and absorption through direct tuning of dark modes in high-Q Fano metamaterials.

Controlling the line shape of Fano resonance has continued to attract significant research attention in recent years owing to its practical applications such as lasing, biosensing, and slow-light devices. However, controllable Fano resonances always require stringent alignment of complex symmetry-breaking structures; therefore, the manipulation can only be performed with limited degrees of freedom and a narrow tuning range. This work demonstrates dark-mode excitation tuning independent of the bright mode for the first time, to the authors' knowledge, in asymmetric Fano metamaterials. Metallic subwavelength slits are arranged to form asymmetric unit cells and generate a broad and bright (radiative) Fabry-Perot mode and a sharp and dark (non-radiative) surface mode. The introduction of the independent radial and angular asymmetries realizes independent control of the Fano phase (q) and quality factor (Q). This tunability provides a dynamic phase shift while maintaining a high-quality factor, enabling switching between nearly perfect transmission and absorption, which is confirmed both numerically and experimentally. The proposed scheme for fully controlled Fano systems can aid practical applications such as phase-sensitive switching devices.

Tunable and switchable bifunctional meta-surface for plasmon-induced transparency and perfect absorption

Tunable multi-function metasurfaces have become the latest research frontiers in planar optics. In this study, a dynamically tunable plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) structure based on a graphene split-ring resonator and graphene ribbon is proposed. The influences of the structural parameters and graphene Fermi energy on the PIT response were investigated both analytically and numerically simulations. The inclusion of an additional vanadium dioxide (VO2) substrate layer enables the metasurface to achieve dynamic switching between PIT and perfect absorption using the phase change property of VO2. The new metasurface device exhibits the PIT effect when the VO2 layer is in an insulating state and acts as a perfect absorber when it is in a metallic state. Moreover, the response of the two functions can be easily adjusted dynamically by changing the Fermi energy of graphene. In addition, both functions were highly sensitive to changes in the ambient refractive index. The results of this work have potential applications in slow-light devices, optical switches, modulators, perfect absorbers, highly sensitive sensors, and multifunctional devices.

Tunable dual-channel slow light in a graphene grating plasmonic waveguide.

We propose a plasmonic waveguide comprising a single-layer graphene, a silica dielectric layer, and a silicon grating substrate to realize dual-channel slow surface plasmon polaritons. The dual-channel results from the introduction of two kinds of periodic structures with defects in the waveguide. According to the Bragg equation, we match the appropriate structure parameters to ensure the slow light dual-channel working around λ1=9369.1nm (32 THz) and λ2=7138.2nm (42 THz). The influence of the structure parameters on the slow light effect is discussed, and the largest value of the normalized delay bandwidth product (NDBP) is up to 7.38. Then, by shifting the gate voltage, obvious linear blueshift of the dual-channel is achieved. In this process, the slow light performance of the dual-channel exhibits good stability, and the average values of the NDBP are 4.5 and 4.4. Due to the flexible tunability, the waveguide may pave the way for the design of slow light devices.

Sensing and slow light properties of dual-band terahertz metamaterials based on electromagnetically induced transparency-like

<sec>Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) is a quantum interference phenomenon in a three-level atomic system. The generation of quantum interference effect significantly reduces the light absorptivity of the specific frequency that is strongly absorbed, and produces a sharp “transmission window” in the resonance absorption region. The EIT is usually accompanied by strong dispersion, which significantly reduces the group velocity of light and enhances the nonlinear interaction. The EIT phenomenon of atomic system usually needs to be observed at very low temperature or high intensity laser, which is a very serious challenge for the application of EIT technology. The simulation of electromagnetically induced transparency using metamaterials can effectively break through these limitations.</sec><sec>In this work, an electromagnetically induced transparency-like terahertz metamaterial structure with three bright modes is proposed and investigated. Two weakly hybrid states are composed of two bright modes with similar resonant frequencies. The energy oscillates back and forth between the two modes, and a transparent window is generated between the two resonance points. The designed metamaterial is composed of three groups of bright modes with adjacent resonant frequencies, and the three groups of bright modes are coupled to produce two transparent windows. The electromagnetically induced transparency-like formation mechanism is analyzed based on the simulation curve and electric field distribution. In addition, the sensing properties of metamaterial are determined by simulation and calculation, and the refractive index sensitivities of the two windows can be as high as 451.92 GHz/RIU and 545.31 GHz/RIU under the optimal thickness of the measured substances. Through the sensing simulation of six petroleum products, it is verified that the dual-band has more excellent advantages in dielectric constant matching than the single frequency band. The characteristics of the designed metamaterial in the slow light effect are also studied. The maximum group delay times of the two windows can reach 9.98 ps and 6.23 ps. Therefore, the structure is considered to have an important application value in the field of high sensitivity sensors and slow light devices.</sec>

Inverse Design of Slow Light Devices at Telecommunication Band Based on Metamaterials Using a Deep Learning Attempt

Inverse Design of Slow Light Devices at Telecommunication Band Based on Metamaterials Using a Deep Learning Attempt

Dynamically Tunable Electromagnetically Induced Transparency-Like Effect in Terahertz Metamaterial Based on Graphene Cross Structures

A simple and multi-layer metamaterial made of graphene to realize excellent manipulation of EIT-like effect is proposed. The unit cell consists of four layers: Substrate 1, Cross 1, Substrate 2 and Cross 2, which can obtain tunable EIT-like effect by adjusting the Fermi level of graphene. The surface current distributions of four different views clearly explain the underlying physical mechanism. A three-level Λ-type system is employed to describe the coupling process between Cross 1 and 2. The calculated transmission spectra based on two-particle model have great agreement with the simulated transmission spectra. In addition, the effects of geometrical parameters on EIT-like effect are discussed and wideband EIT-like effect with high transmission can be obtained by adjusting the lengths of Cross 1 and 2. Also, the polarization-insensitive character of EIT-like metamaterial is confirmed by the transmission spectra under different polarization angles. The maximum of group delay (25.48 ps) is far greater than the group delay of previously reported EIT-like metamaterials. Our study provides a novel way for the development of slow-light devices and modulators.

High-Q slow light and its localization in a photonic crystal microring

We introduce a photonic crystal ring cavity that resembles an internal gear and unites photonic crystal (PhC) and whispering gallery mode (WGM) concepts. This `microgear' photonic crystal ring (MPhCR) is created by applying a periodic modulation to the inside boundary of a microring resonator to open a large bandgap, as in a PhC cavity, while maintaining the ring's circularly symmetric outside boundary and high quality factor ($Q$), as in a WGM cavity. The MPhCR targets a specific WGM to open a large PhC bandgap up to tens of free spectral ranges, compressing the mode spectrum while maintaining the high-$Q$, angular momenta, and waveguide coupling properties of the WGM modes. In particular, near the dielectric band-edge, we observe modes whose group velocity is slowed down by 10 times relative to conventional microring modes while supporting $Q~=~(1.1\pm0.1)\times10^6$. This $Q$ is $\approx$50$\times$ that of the previous record in slow light devices. Using the slow light design as a starting point, we further demonstrate the ability to localize WGMs into photonic crystal defect (dPhC) modes for the first time, enabling a more than 10$\times$ reduction of mode volume compared to conventional WGMs while maintaining high-$Q$ up to (5.6$\pm$0.1)$\times$10$^5$. Importantly, this additional dPhC localization is achievable without requiring detailed electromagnetic design. Moreover, controlling their frequencies and waveguide coupling is straightforward in the MPhCR, thanks to its WGM heritage. By using a PhC to strongly modify fundamental properties of WGMs, such as group velocity and localization, the MPhCR provides an exciting platform for a broad range of photonics applications, including sensing/metrology, nonlinear optics, and cavity quantum electrodynamics.

Optical tunable multifunctional slow light device based on double monolayer graphene grating-like metamaterial

A very simple optical tunable device, which can realize multiple functions of frequency selection, reflection and slow light, is presented at the investigation. The proposed device is constructed by a periodic grating-like structure. There are two dielectrics (graphene and silicon) in a period of the equivalent grating. The incident light will strongly resonate with the graphene of electrostatic doping, forming an evanescent wave propagating along the surface of graphene, and this phenomenon is the surface plasmon. Under constructive interference of the polaritons, a unique plasmonic induced transparency phenomenon will be achieved. The induced transparency produced by this device can be well theoretically fitted by the bright and dark mode of optical equivalent cavity which can be called coupled mode theory. This theory can well analyze the influence of various modes and various losses between the function of this device. The device can use gate voltages for electrostatic doping in order to change the graphene carrier concentration and tune the optical performance of the device. Moreover, the length of the device in y-direction is will be much larger than the length of single cycle, providing some basis for realizing the fast tunable function and laying a foundation for the integration. Through a simulation and calculation, we can find that the group index and group delay of this device are as high as 515 and 0.257 picoseconds (ps) respectively, so it can provide a good construction idea for the slow light device. The proposed grating-like metamaterial structure can provide certain simulation and theoretical help for the optical tunable reflectors, absorbers, and slow light devices.

A tailored ultra-broadband electromagnetically induced transparency metamaterial based on graphene

Based on graphene, an ultra-broadband electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) window with dynamic tunability is realized in theory. Through altering the Fermi level of graphene that can be regulated by the external voltage, the EIT window and the EIT effect, especially the slow-wave effect, can be easily adjusted. Moreover, the bandwidth of the EIT window can be changed by the incidence angle, achieving the transformation from broadband to narrowband. At the same time, by discussing the polarization state and loss index, the characteristics of polarization insensitivity and low loss are proved. Additionally, the influences of other parameters are discussed, such as the relaxation time of graphene and coupling distance. These unique features enable the designed EIT metamaterial to be masterly applied to optical switches, optical modulators, and slow-light devices.

Active Terahertz Modulator and Slow Light Metamaterial Devices with Hybrid Graphene-Superconductor Photonic Integrated Circuits.

Metamaterial photonic integrated circuits with arrays of hybrid graphene–superconductor coupled split-ring resonators (SRR) capable of modulating and slowing down terahertz (THz) light are introduced and proposed. The hybrid device’s optical responses, such as electromagnetic-induced transparency (EIT) and group delay, can be modulated in several ways. First, it is modulated electrically by changing the conductivity and carrier concentrations in graphene. Alternatively, the optical response can be modified by acting on the device temperature sensitivity by switching Nb from a lossy normal phase to a low-loss quantum mechanical phase below the transition temperature (Tc) of Nb. Maximum modulation depths of 57.3% and 97.61% are achieved for EIT and group delay at the THz transmission window, respectively. A comparison is carried out between the Nb-graphene-Nb coupled SRR-based devices with those of Au-graphene-Au SRRs, and significant enhancements of the THz transmission, group delay, and EIT responses are observed when Nb is in the quantum mechanical phase. Such hybrid devices with their reasonably large and tunable slow light bandwidth pave the way for the realization of active optoelectronic modulators, filters, phase shifters, and slow light devices for applications in chip-scale future communication and computation systems.

Topological, nonreciprocal, and multiresonant slow light beyond the time-bandwidth limit

Topologically protected transport has recently emerged as an effective means to address a recurring problem hampering the field of slow light for the past two decades: its keen sensitivity to disorders and structural imperfections. With it, there has been renewed interest in efforts to overcome the delay-time-bandwidth limitation usually characterizing slow-light devices, on occasion thought to be a fundamental limit. What exactly is this limit, and what does it imply? Can it be overcome? If yes, how could topological slow light help, and in what systems? What applications might be expected by overcoming the limit? Our Perspective here attempts addressing these and other related questions while pointing to important new functionalities both for classical and quantum devices that overcoming the limit can enable.

Lattice induced transparency-like in symmetric metasurfaces tuned with incident angles in mid-infrared region

It is very meaningful to implement a tunable transparency window device with a simple metasurface structure in the mid-infrared band. In this paper, we propose a symmetric metasurface structure that consists of thin layers of graphene and a split anti-ring (SAR). This structure can achieve a tunable lattice-induced transparency-like (LIT-like) spectral response in the wide frequency range of 20–40 THz. Our simulation results show that the realization of the LIT-like phenomenon is due to the strong coupling between the lattice diffraction resonance mode (LDRM) and the wide plasmon resonance mode produced by SAR. The LIT-like response can be dynamically shifted by adjusting the incident pitch angle, the single and double LIT-like can also be switched by adjusting the azimuth angle, which provides convenient post-fabrication tunability. The coupling mechanism of the single LIT-like phenomenon is explained via a dual-oscillator model, which agrees well with the simulation results. In addition, the effects of spacer layer thickness, spacer layer refractive index, ambient refractive index on the position and size of the transparency window are analyzed. Lastly, a tunable delay bandwidth product between 0.46 and 0.86 will be produced due to the addition of graphene. Our finding manifests a novel design of the mid-infrared dynamically tuned slow-light device. • The symmetric metasurface can realized the LIT-like effect, which is produced by the strong coupling of plasmonic mode and LDRM. • The LIT-like effect can be tuned in mid-infrared regime by changing the incident pitch angle. • Single and double transparency windows can be switched when the incident azimuth angle is 0° and 90°. • The delay bandwidth product can be dynamically controlled by Fermi energy and incident pitch angle.

Refractive index sensing and switching of leaky states in a metasurface.

We theoretically propose leaky states in an electro-optic (EO)-based all-dielectric metasurface. The EO substrate tunes leaky modes to the desired wave band with changes in applied voltage (Vapp). For refractive index (RI) sensing, the highest figure-of-merit (FoM) in this work is 9166, quality factor (Q-factor) is 1.7450e4, sensitivity is 407 nm/RIU (in RI range of 1.00-1.03), minimum detectable RI is 1.0542e-4, and relative sensitivity is 9.94e-4V-1. The structure sustains the figure and line shape of leaky modes, high Q-factor, and FoM at different Vapp and EO-coefficients. Our FoM and Q-factor are high, and the minimum detectable RI is smaller than previously reported. The giant Q-factor is promising for optical filters, modulation, and slow-light device applications.

Switchable Metamaterial With Terahertz Buffering and Absorbing Performance

A terahertz metamaterial with switching characteristics from optical buffering to absorbing performance is realized by incorporating a phase-change film of vanadium dioxide. By introducing the electromagnetically induced transparency behavior based on simple strip pairs, the slow light effect with group delay up to 3.5 ps is obtained. When vanadium dioxide is in the insulator state, the remarkable delay can be observed as the incident pulse transmits through the designed structure. Once the vanadium dioxide film is tuned to the metallic state, the metamaterial is switched to a terahertz absorber and the maximum absorption rate of 94% is observed at 1.04 THz. The switching mechanism is discussed by analyzing the electric field and power loss distributions, as well as the impedance matching principle. Moreover, the buffering capability and the absorption performance both remain noticeable within a wide range of the incidence angle. This work offers a strategy for the function-switching metamaterial which provides potential applications in terahertz detecting, switching and slow light devices.

Graphene-Modulated Terahertz Metasurfaces for Selective and Active Control of Dual-Band Electromagnetic Induced Reflection (EIR) Windows.

Currently, metasurfaces (MSs) integrating with different active materials have been widely explored to actively manipulate the resonance intensity of multi-band electromagnetic induced transparency (EIT) windows. Unfortunately, these hybrid MSs can only realize the global control of multi-EIT windows rather than selective control. Here, a graphene-functionalized complementary terahertz MS, composed of a dipole slot and two graphene-integrated quadrupole slots with different sizes, is proposed to execute selective and active control of dual-band electromagnetic induced reflection (EIR) windows. In this structure, dual-band EIR windows arise from the destructive interference caused by the near field coupling between the bright dipole slot and dark quadrupole slot. By embedding graphene ribbons beneath two quadrupole slots, the resonance intensity of two windows can be selectively and actively modulated by adjusting Fermi energy of the corresponding graphene ribbons via electrostatic doping. The theoretical model and field distributions demonstrate that the active tuning behavior can be ascribed to the change in the damper factor of the corresponding dark mode. In addition, the active control of the group delay is further investigated to develop compact slow light devices. Therefore, the selective and active control scheme introduced here can offer new opportunities and platforms for designing multifunctional terahertz devices.

Double E-shaped toroidal metasurface with high Q-factor Fano resonance and electromagnetically induced transparency

A double E-shaped toroidal dipole metasurface is designed with the high Q-factor Fano and classical electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) phenomena in the microwave frequency range. With the introduction of an asymmetric structure, the sharp Fano resonance can be excited and acquired a quite high Q-factor of 134 at a lower frequency of 4.58 GHz. It can be numerically and experimentally demonstrated that the singularity Fano response of designed construction is caused by the intensive toroidal dipole. In addition, due to destructive interference between the intensive toroidal dipole and electric dipole, the transmission peak of EIT can reach 0.95 with a Q-factor of 50 at 10.18 GHz. By calculating and comparing the radiated power of multipoles, the enhanced toroidal dipole response can be further verified. The designed planar toroidal dipole metamaterial with simple construction may have many possible applications in toroidal moment generators, sensing, and slow-light devices.