Electromagnetic simulations of tunable terahertz metamaterial infiltrated with highly birefringent nematic liquid crystal

Abstract

In this article electromagnetic simulations of tunable terahertz metamaterial infiltrated with nematic liquid crystal are described. A full-wave analysis technique based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method was done by employing QuickWave 3D electromagnetic solver. Scattering parameter analysis shows a resonant frequency shift of 0.8 THz obtained by reorienting the layered highly birefringent nematic liquid crystal. Effective refractive index for operation frequency varies from negative to positive values.

Keywords:

• nematic liquid crystals
• tunable metamaterial
• numerical analysis
• negative refractive index
• terahertz metamaterial

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Polish Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education [grant number POIG.01.03.01-14-016/08], entitled ‘New photonic materials and their advanced applications’; the National Science Center [grant number 2012/07/N/ST8/03284], entitled ‘New materials of metal – dielectric type based on quartz and noble metals at THz frequencies’. Publication has been created with financial support from the Foundation for Polish Science.