Tunable terahertz metamaterials based on metal-insulator phase transition of VO2 layers

We designed a tunable metamaterial in the terahertz frequency domain (0.1 – 1 THz) based on periodical arrays of metallic resonators on top of vanadium dioxide thin films deposited on a sapphire substrate. We simulate and show experimentally that the frequency response of the fabricated metamaterial is drastically changing as the vanadium dioxide under layer performs a reversible temperature-driven phase transition from an insulating to a metallic state. The hybrid metamaterial is designed also for the electrical activation of the underneath vanadium dioxide material in order to realize faster dynamical switches and modulation functions for the terahertz waves.