A dual-band programmable metasurface for terahertz beam steering

Y Yucheng Xu T Tingzi Zhao (Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics (RISE) & Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems with Extreme Performances of MOE, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University 1 , Nanjing 210023,) G Guanyu Chen (Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Lab of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Department of Materials Science, Academy for Engineering & Technology) A Aoxuan Liu (Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics (RISE) & Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems with Extreme Performances of MOE, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University 1 , Nanjing 210023,) Z Zhiqin Huang (School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology 3 , Nanjing 210044,) J Jingbo Wu C Caihong Zhang B Biaobing Jin J Jian Chen P Peiheng Wu K Kebin Fan (Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics (RISE) and Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems with Extreme Performances of MOE, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University 1 , Nanjing 210023,)

Abstract

Terahertz programmable metasurfaces hold significant promise for next-generation communications due to their capability to steer electromagnetic waves. However, most existing terahertz metasurfaces operate at only a single frequency, leaving much of the vast terahertz spectrum underutilized. In this study, we introduce a “butterfly” programmable dual-band metasurface, integrated with liquid crystals, designed for efficient terahertz beam steering. By applying bias voltages, the metasurface achieves a phase change of nearly 270° at two distinct frequencies, ∼400 and ∼700 GHz. Our experimental results demonstrate that the butterfly metasurface is compatible with both binary and ternary coding schemes at these frequencies, remarkably enhancing beam-steering performance and expanding spatial coverage. This advancement in dual-band metasurface technology marks a step forward in harnessing the full potential of the terahertz spectrum, opening another pathway for broadband terahertz communication and imaging applications.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 126, Issue 19
Published May 12, 2025
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (11)

Y

Yucheng Xu

T

Tingzi Zhao

Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics (RISE) & Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems with Extreme Performances of MOE, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University 1 , Nanjing 210023,

G

Guanyu Chen

Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Lab of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Department of Materials Science, Academy for Engineering & Technology

A

Aoxuan Liu

Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics (RISE) & Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems with Extreme Performances of MOE, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University 1 , Nanjing 210023,

Z

Zhiqin Huang

School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology 3 , Nanjing 210044,

J

Jingbo Wu

C

Caihong Zhang

B

Biaobing Jin

J

Jian Chen

P

Peiheng Wu

K

Kebin Fan

Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics (RISE) and Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems with Extreme Performances of MOE, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University 1 , Nanjing 210023,