Acta Photonica Sinica, Volume. 54, Issue 6, 0616002(2025)
Electromagnetically Induced Transparency Effect of Terahertz All-dielectric Metamaterials
Electromagnetic Induction Transparency (EIT) effect, originating from quantum destructive interference among diverse excitation pathways, enables remarkable suppression of light absorption within specific narrow spectral regions in originally opaque media. This effect endows materials with distinctive transparent windows in their transmission spectra, accompanied by significant dispersion properties. Such characteristics have propelled EIT to the forefront of numerous research endeavors, particularly in optical sensing, slow light effect exploitation, and nonlinear optical device fabrication. Nevertheless, the realization of quantum EIT effect is shackled by stringent experimental requisites, including stable lasers and ultra-low temperature environments. These constraints have severely circumscribed its practical applicability and further evolution.This study design an all-dielectric metamaterial for the terahertz band, predicated on the bright-dark mode coupling approach. The unit cell of this metamaterial is composed of two hollow cylinders fabricated from LiTaO?, an ionic crystal renowned for its pronounced polarization response in the terahertz regime. The material's complex permittivity adheres to the Lorentzian dispersion model, with parameters meticulously calibrated based on established literature.To comprehensively investigate the optical properties and EIT-like effect of the designed metamaterial, a finite element algorithm is employed. This numerical technique enables the accurate modeling of the electromagnetic response of the metamaterial under diverse conditions. Through this approach, the transmission spectrum is simulated to identify resonant frequencies and assess the quality factor of resonances. The multi-pole scattering power is calculated by decomposing the induced current in Cartesian coordinates, facilitating the quantification of the contribution of each multi-pole mode to the overall resonance. Additionally, the spatial distribution of the electromagnetic field at resonant frequencies is analyzed to visualize the field patterns and corroborate the excitation of specific multi-pole modes.The transmission spectrum of the metamaterial reveals a highly sharp toroidal dipole resonance in the vicinity of 0.879 THz. Employing the second moment method, the linewidth of this resonance is determined to be approximately 0.019 GHz, corresponding to an exceptionally high Q value of 4.63×104. In contrast, a magnetic dipole resonance centered around 1.068 THz exhibits a relatively broader linewidth of 19.8 GHz and a moderate Q value of 53.8. The multi-pole scattering power analysis further attests that the toroidal dipole dominates the resonance at 0.848 THz, with its scattering power surpassing that of other multi-poles by a factor of 2.5. Conversely, the magnetic dipole assumes primacy at 1.068 THz. The spatial distribution of the electromagnetic field at resonant frequencies vividly depicts the circular displacement current oscillations within the hollow cylinders, unequivocally validating the excitation of the toroidal dipole.By judiciously adjusting the center distance between the two cylinders within the range from 20 μm to 40 μm, an EIT-like effect is successfully realized in the proximity of 1.102 THz. The Q value of the EIT-like transmission peak attains its maximum when d=29 μm. The multi-pole scattering power analysis in the EIT-like state divulges that both the toroidal dipole and magnetic dipole are vigorously excited in the frequency regions adjacent to the transmission dip. In the vicinity of the EIT-like transmission peak, however, their excitation is conspicuously suppressed, thereby corroborating the hypothesis that the EIT-like effect is engendered by the coupling between these two dipoles.The metamaterial's potential as a refractive index sensor is investigated by subjecting it to varying environmental refractive indices ranging from 1.0 to 1.3. Even minute variations in the refractive index precipitate a significant redshift in the EIT peak. The sensor's sensitivity is quantified as approximately 151 GHz/RIU within the refractive index range of 1.0~1.2. The Figure of Merit (FoM), calculated as the ratio of sensitivity to the transmission peak linewidth, is determined to be around 6.8.In summary, this research has culminated in the successful design and demonstration of a terahertz all-dielectric metamaterial with an EIT-like effect. The unit cell structure, consisting of two hollow LiTaO? cylinders, has been shown to support the excitation of a toroidal dipole resonance with an unprecedentedly high Q value of approximately 4.63×104, in conjunction with a magnetic dipole resonance. The physical mechanism underpinning the EIT-like effect has been unequivocally attributed to the coupling between the toroidal dipole and magnetic dipole modes.The metamaterial's remarkable sensing performance, characterized by a high sensitivity of 151 GHz/RIU and a FoM of approximately 6.8, positions it as a highly promising candidate for applications in environmental monitoring and on-site biochemical detection. Future research directions may focus on further optimizing the metamaterial's structure to enhance its performance and exploring additional application scenarios in emerging fields such as terahertz imaging and communication.
Get Citation
Copy Citation Text
Renkun DAI, Jiangkun TIAN, Yizu ZOU, Doudou WANG, Depeng KONG, Tian MA. Electromagnetically Induced Transparency Effect of Terahertz All-dielectric Metamaterials[J]. Acta Photonica Sinica, 2025, 54(6): 0616002
Category:
Received: Dec. 16, 2024
Accepted: Mar. 26, 2025
Published Online: Jul. 14, 2025
The Author Email: Tian MA (tianma@xust.edu.cn)