journal article·2023-01-21Open access

Liquid Crystal-Tuned Planar Optics in Terahertz Range

Hongguan Yu, Huacai Wang, Qiguang Wang, Shijun Ge, Wei Hu

Applied Sciences· Volume 13· Issue 3

Abstract

Recently, terahertz waves of higher frequencies compared to microwave and radio frequency have shown great potential in radar detection and high-speed wireless communication. To spatially control the wavefront of terahertz beams, various novel components, such as terahertz filters, polarization converters and lenses, have been investigated. Metamaterials and metasurfaces have become the most promising technique for the free manipulation of terahertz waves. Metadevices integrated with liquid crystals have been widely used in active terahertz devices. In this review, the birefringence of liquid crystals in the terahertz band and terahertz devices based on liquid crystals are summarized. By integrating liquid crystals with plasmonic metamaterials, the functions become dynamically adjustable and are reconstructed. Utilizing liquid crystals to change the resonance of metamaterials, tunable filters, absorbers, and programmable metasurfaces are realized. To solve the problem of low efficiency, terahertz wavefront shaping devices based on dielectric metasurfaces and liquid crystals, such as a variable deflection angle grating and zoom metalenses, are presented. Finally, we discuss and anticipate the future developments of liquid-crystal-integrated meta-devices, which will inspire broad applications in terahertz communication and imaging.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications · Advanced Antenna and Metasurface Technologies · Antenna Design and Analysis

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China

Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China · National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) · Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province · Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

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