Linear and phase controllable terahertz frequency conversion via ultrafast breaking the bond of a meta-molecule

Siyu Duan; Xin Su; Hongsong Qiu; Yushun Jiang; Jingbo Wu; Kebin Fan; Caihong Zhang; Xiaoqing Jia; Guanghao Zhu; Lin Kang; Xinglong Wu; Huabing Wang; Keyu Xia; Biaobing Jin; Jian Chen; Peiheng Wu

doi:10.1038/s41467-024-45416-7

Nature Communications (Feb 2024)

Linear and phase controllable terahertz frequency conversion via ultrafast breaking the bond of a meta-molecule

Siyu Duan,
Xin Su,
Hongsong Qiu,
Yushun Jiang,
Jingbo Wu,
Kebin Fan,
Caihong Zhang,
Xiaoqing Jia,
Guanghao Zhu,
Lin Kang,
Xinglong Wu,
Huabing Wang,
Keyu Xia,
Biaobing Jin,
Jian Chen,
Peiheng Wu

Affiliations

Siyu Duan: 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
Xin Su: 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
Hongsong Qiu: 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
Yushun Jiang: 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
Jingbo Wu: 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
Kebin Fan: 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
Caihong Zhang: 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
Xiaoqing Jia: 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
Guanghao Zhu: 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
Lin Kang: 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
Xinglong Wu: National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Nanjing University
Huabing Wang: 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
Keyu Xia: College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University
Biaobing Jin: 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
Jian Chen: 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
Peiheng Wu: 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

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45416-7
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Abstract The metasurface platform with time-varying characteristics has emerged as a promising avenue for exploring exotic physics associated with Floquet materials and for designing photonic devices like linear frequency converters. However, the limited availability of materials with ultrafast responses hinders their applications in the terahertz range. Here we present a time-varying metasurface comprising an array of superconductor-metal hybrid meta-molecules. Each meta-molecule consists of two meta-atoms that are “bonded” together by double superconducting microbridges. Through experimental investigations, we demonstrate high-efficiency linear terahertz frequency conversion by rapidly breaking the bond using a coherent ultrashort terahertz pump pulse. The frequency and relative phase of the converted wave exhibit strong dependence on the pump-probe delay, indicating phase controllable wave conversion. The dynamics of the meta-molecules during the frequency conversion process are comprehensively understood using a time-varying coupled mode model. This research not only opens up new possibilities for developing innovative terahertz sources but also provides opportunities for exploring topological dynamics and Floquet physics within metasurfaces.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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