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Enantiomeric switching of chiral metamaterial for terahertz polarization modulation employing vertically deformable MEMS spirals

Author

Listed:
  • Tetsuo Kan

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Akihiro Isozaki

    (IRT Research Initiative, The University of Tokyo)

  • Natsuki Kanda

    (Extreme Photonics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics
    Photon Science Center, The University of Tokyo)

  • Natsuki Nemoto

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Kuniaki Konishi

    (Institute for Photon Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo)

  • Hidetoshi Takahashi

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Makoto Kuwata-Gonokami

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Kiyoshi Matsumoto

    (IRT Research Initiative, The University of Tokyo)

  • Isao Shimoyama

    (The University of Tokyo
    IRT Research Initiative, The University of Tokyo)

Abstract

Active modulation of the polarization states of terahertz light is indispensable for polarization-sensitive spectroscopy, having important applications such as non-contact Hall measurements, vibrational circular dichroism measurements and anisotropy imaging. In the terahertz region, the lack of a polarization modulator similar to a photoelastic modulator in the visible range hampers expansion of such spectroscopy. A terahertz chiral metamaterial has a huge optical activity unavailable in nature; nevertheless, its modulation is still challenging. Here we demonstrate a handedness-switchable chiral metamaterial for polarization modulation employing vertically deformable Micro Electro Mechanical Systems. Vertical deformation of a planar spiral by a pneumatic force creates a three-dimensional spiral. Enantiomeric switching is realized by selecting the deformation direction, where the polarity of the optical activity is altered while maintaining the spectral shape. A polarization rotation as high as 28° is experimentally observed, thus providing a practical and compact polarization modulator for the terahertz range.

Suggested Citation

  • Tetsuo Kan & Akihiro Isozaki & Natsuki Kanda & Natsuki Nemoto & Kuniaki Konishi & Hidetoshi Takahashi & Makoto Kuwata-Gonokami & Kiyoshi Matsumoto & Isao Shimoyama, 2015. "Enantiomeric switching of chiral metamaterial for terahertz polarization modulation employing vertically deformable MEMS spirals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms9422
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9422
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    Cited by:

    1. Ufuk Kilic & Matthew Hilfiker & Shawn Wimer & Alexander Ruder & Eva Schubert & Mathias Schubert & Christos Argyropoulos, 2024. "Controlling the broadband enhanced light chirality with L-shaped dielectric metamaterials," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.

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