Collaborative Research: Manipulating Terahertz Waves Using Three-Dimensional Metamaterials

合作研究：利用三维超材料操纵太赫兹波。O'Hara，Proposal No.1232134ABSTRACTIntellectual Merit：太赫兹（THz）波仍然是电磁频谱中最不发达的区域之一，尽管在遥感、成像、光谱学和通信方面具有巨大的潜在应用前景。太赫兹波携带着独特的分子特征，这些特征在其他电磁频谱中是不可用的。特别是，太赫兹波为国土安全领域的转型进步提供了机会，例如在远距离探测和识别隐藏爆炸目标方面的应用。然而，由于缺乏在THz频率下具有有效响应的电磁材料，THz波已被证明非常难以控制。这个吗？太赫兹间隙？这对功能性太赫兹光学元件和系统的发展造成了很大的障碍。鉴于这些挑战，本研究提案的目标是开发一种协同方法，该方法结合了变换光学（TO）理论，使用有效介质近似的超材料设计，可扩展的三维（3D）制造技术以及实验验证方法，以探索一系列新颖的THz光学元件：1）TO使能的无像差THz成像透镜，以及2）集成的THz光谱学平台。这里提出的合作研究无疑将为各种急需的THz应用带来新的可能性，这些应用具有前所未有的功能。更广泛的影响：这项研究通过提供一种全新的解决方案来控制这些波的流动，解决了围绕光谱学上重要的THz频率范围的巨大挑战。这项研究的成果，预计将锻造桥梁之间的多学科创造一个新的领域？太赫兹超材料？同时在跨学科的学习环境中培养下一代科学和工程领导力。从这项研究中获得的创新代表了一项技术突破，这将迎来新一代的太赫兹光学系统，其分辨率，效率和小型化大大提高，以满足商业和军事应用的需求。提出的THz 3D超材料概念和集成研究协议可以进一步扩展到隐身技术，先进通信系统，医学成像和遥感的宽电磁波谱。

Collaborative Research: Manipulating terahertz waves using three-dimensional metamaterialsPI: Cheng Sun, Weili Zhang, John F. O'Hara, Proposal No. 1232134ABSTRACTIntellectual Merit: Terahertz (THz) waves remain one of the most underdeveloped regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, despite the great promise for potential applications in remote sensing, imaging, spectroscopy, and communications. THz waves carry unique molecular signatures that are not available in the rest of the electromagnetic spectrum. In particular, THz waves offer the opportunity for transformational advances in homeland security, such as applications in standoff detection and identification of concealed explosive targets. However, THz waves have proven very challenging to control due to a paucity of electromagnetic materials with an effective response at THz frequencies. This ?THz gap? results in a great impediment for the development of functional THz optical components and systems. In view of these challenges, the objective of this research proposal is to develop a synergetic approach that incorporates Transformation Optics (TO) theory, metamaterial design using the effective media approximation, scalable three-dimensional (3D) fabrication technologies, and a method of experimental validation to explore a range of novel THz optical components: 1) TO-enabled aberration free THz imaging lens, and 2) an integrated THz spectroscopy platform. The collaborative research proposed here will undoubtedly initiate new possibilities for a variety of much needed THz applications with unprecedented functionalities. Broader Impact: This research addresses the grand challenges surrounding the spectroscopically important THz frequency range by offering a fundamentally new solution to control the flow of these waves. The fruition of this research is expected to be the forging of bridges between the multiple disciplines for creating a new field of ?THz Metamaterials,? while training the next generation of scientific and engineering leadership in an interdisciplinary learning environment. The innovations obtained from this research represent a technological breakthrough, which will usher in a new generation of THz optical systems with greatly improved resolution, efficiency, and miniaturization to meet the needs of commercial and military applications. The proposed THz 3D metamaterials concept and integrated research protocol can be further extended to the broad electromagnetic wave spectrum for stealth technology, advanced communication systems, medical imaging, and remote sensing.