Nonvolatile reconfigurable dynamic Janus metasurfaces in the terahertz regime

Abstract

Metasurfaces, especially tunable ones, have played a major role in controlling the amplitude, phase, and polarization of electromagnetic waves and attracted growing interest, with a view toward a new generation of miniaturized devices. However, to date, most existing reconfigurable devices are bounded in volatile nature with sustained external energy to maintain and single functionality, which restrict their further applications. Here, we demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, nonvolatile, reconfigurable, and dynamic Janus metasurfaces by incorporating phase-change material <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline" id="m1"> <mml:mrow> <mml:msub> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>Ge</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:mn>2</mml:mn> </mml:msub> <mml:msub> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>Se</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:mn>2</mml:mn> </mml:msub> <mml:msub> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>Te</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:mn>5</mml:mn> </mml:msub> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> (GST) in the terahertz (THz) regime. First, we experimentally show the reversible switching characteristic of GST on large areas by applying a single nanosecond laser pulse, which exhibits excellent contrast of THz properties in both states. Then, we present a multiplex metasurface scheme. In each metasurface, three sets of structures are adopted, in which two sets integrate GST. The effective structures can be reversely modulated by the amorphization and crystallization of GST. As a proof of concept, the dynamic beam splitter, bifocal metalens, dual-mode focusing optical vortex generators, and switchable metalens/focusing optical vortex generators are designed, fabricated, and experimentally characterized, and can be switched reversibly and repeatedly with the help of optical and thermal stimuli. Our scheme will pave the way toward the development of multifunctional and compact THz devices and may find use for applications in THz imaging, sensing, and communications.