Actively mode tunable electromagnetically induced transparency in a polarization-dependent terahertz metamaterial

Abstract

Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) is a quantum destructive interference phenomenon in three-level atomic systems, which can slow down the light velocity and has application prospects in information storage and processing. However, the EIT effect in atomic systems requires harsh experimental conditions. This problem can be solved by employing an EIT metamaterial, where destructive interference occurs between a bright mode and a dark mode or a quasi-dark mode, inducing a transparency window accompanied by the slow light effect. Here, we propose an actively mode tunable electromagnetically induced transparency terahertz metamaterial, which is comprised of a T-type resonator, a split-ring resonator (SRR), and coupled split-ring resonators (CSRRs). When the external electric field is vertical to the gap of the SRR (x-polarization), there is a single EIT mode accompanied by one slow light wave packet. On the other hand, when the external electric field is parallel to the gap of the SRR (y-polarization), there are two EIT modes accompanied by two slow light wave packets. Therefore, an active switch from a single EIT mode to dual EIT modes controlled by changing the polarization is demonstrated, which can find explanation from the electric field intensity distributions. This work offers a strategy to realize the mode tunable EIT, which may achieve potential applications in active filters, modulators, and slow light devices.