Controlling intensity and phase of terahertz radiation with an optically thin liquid crystal-loaded metamaterial

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate intensity and phase modulation of terahertz radiation using an actively controlled large-area planar metamaterial (metafilm) hybridized with a 12lm thick layer of a liquid crystal. Active control was introduced through in-plane electrical switching of the liquid crystal, which enabled to achieve a reversible single-pass absolute transmission change of 20% and a phase change of 40 at only 20 V.