Tunable broadband terahertz properties in an architecture optimized ITO/VO2 hybrid metamaterial.

This article proposes an architecture optimized indium-tin-oxide (ITO)/vanadium dioxide (VO 2) hybrid metamaterial with optically transparent and tunable broadband terahertz properties. By changing the architecture of subunits, a broadband (∼ 1 THz) absorption with average absorptivity of 80.0 % has been achieved in an optimized ITO metamaterial at first. With adding strong correlated electron oxide VO 2 film, the tunability is introduced in the ITO/VO 2 hybrid structures. The most striking finding here is that the position of the VO 2 layers in the hybrid structure can efficiently affect both the THz properties and the modulation functionality. In an optimized ITO/VO 2 hybrid structure, 84.5 % reflection modulation and 78.9 % absorption modulation within a broadband (0.2 ∼ 1.0 THz) range are obtained. These findings highlight the architecture optimization for the THz properties in hybrid metamaterials, which is expected to have a great technological impact on the design of optically transparent THz tunable absorbers. • In addition to composition, cellular architecture of metamaterial can efficiently affect the THz functionality. • Architecture optimization achieves broadband (∼ 1 THz) and strong (near 100 %) THz absorption in ITO metamaterial. • 84.5 % reflection and 78.9 % absorption modulation within a 0.2–1 THz range are obtained by ITO/VO 2 metamaterial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]