Switchable Chiral Metasurface for Terahertz Anomalous Reflection Based on Phase Change Material

Abstract

A switchable chiral metasurface based on a phase change material Ge2Sb2Te5, which can switch between a right-handed circularly polarized mirror and a left-handed circularly polarized mirror, is theoretically discussed. When the conductivity of Ge2Sb2Te5 σ is 0 S/m, the metasurface will reflect incident right-handed circularly polarized light and absorb incident left-handed circularly polarized light at 0.76 THz. As σ is set to 3 × 105 S/m, the response of the metasurface to circularly polarized light will be reversed. That is, it reflects the incident left-handed circularly polarized light and absorbs the incident right-handed circularly polarized light at 0.66 THz. The circular dichroism is from 76% to −64%. Then, we also study the performance of the mirror structure of the initial metasurface. By simulating the reflected spectra with different conductivities and the surface current distribution, the reason for the switchable function is clear. Moreover, the switchable chiral metasurface can be applied in spin-selective beam deflectors, which is proven by simulation. This work provides a new strategy for the development of tunable chiral devices.

Keywords

• switchable
• circular dichroism
• anomalous reflection
• terahertz wave