Applications of Metamaterials
ECE 595 Seminar Series
November 18, 2022
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location
online, contact department for login
Calendar
Download iCal FileApplications of Metamaterials
Presenter: Zizwe Chase, University of Illinois Chicago
Abstract: Metamaterials are artificial materials that are currently being exploited to manipulate light to achieve electromagnetic properties that do not occur naturally. In particular, the use of these materials in the terahertz region will expand capabilities for sensing, communication, and computing applications. Here we look at a few examples that show these potentials. Firstly, we demonstrate dynamic control of beam steering applications by using a phase change material, VO2, to form a 2-gap split ring resonators supported on a sapphire substrate. A combination of a series of terahertz meta-deflectors comprised of geometrically optimized 2-gap split ring resonators were employed to achieve a phase shift that covers a broad range of 0-2π. This device will operate in the linear cross-polarization regime within the 0.2-1 THz frequency band. The use of VO2 allows for a dynamically controlled on/off state that manipulates the angle of deflection of the transmitted beam. The scheme could be exploited for developing novel highly efficient switchable THz polarization beam deflectors. Secondly, Dicke cooperativity in quantum optics, has recently become an indispensable element in quantum information technology. We extend the coupling beyond the standard light-matter interaction paradigm, enhancing Dicke cooperativity in a terahertz metasurface with N meta-atoms. The cooperative enhancement manifested through the hybridization of localized surface plasmon resonance in individual meta-atoms and surface lattice resonance due to the periodic array. Through engineering of the capacitive split-gap in the meta-atoms, we were able to enhance the coupling rate into the ultrastrong coupling regime by a factor of √N. Our strategy can serve as a new platform for demonstrating effective control of fermionic systems by weak pumping, superradiant emission and ultrasensitive sensing of molecules. Lastly, for optical computing applications, we propose a flexible Kapton polyimide for the GRIN lens that functions in the terahertz regime to realize the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm.
Speaker bio: Zizwe Chase is a Bridge-to-Faculty scholar at University of Illinois Chicago, and a former Postdoctoral Fellow in the SAMPL group of the physics department of Howard University. He received his B.S. degree in chemistry from Morehouse College, B.S. degree in chemical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, and PhD. in chemical engineering from Washington State University. His research interests include topics in chemistry and physics, namely interfacial interactions at catalytic surfaces and light matter interactions with 2-D metamaterials. He is interested in using various spectroscopic techniques to probe interfacial regions and nanomaterials. Chase is a former Goddard Space Flight Center and Pacific Northwest National Lab intern.
Faculty host: Zhichun Zhu (zzhu@uic.edu)
This lecture will not be recorded.
Date posted
Nov 16, 2022
Date updated
Nov 16, 2022