Advancements in Terahertz Metamaterial Optics, Devices, and Applications

A special issue of Photonics (ISSN 2304-6732). This special issue belongs to the section "Optical Interaction Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 October 2025 | Viewed by 1195

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronics Information Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Precision Instruments and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
Interests: terahertz; metamaterials; biosensing; non-destructive test

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Guest Editor
School of Electronic and Information Engineering, Changshu Institute of Technology, Suzhou 215500, China
Interests: plasmonics; terahertz; metasurface; biosensing

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Guest Editor
School of Physics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Interests: metasurface; terahertz photonics; ultrafast optics; diffractive optical elements
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Terahertz metamaterial optics represent a rapidly growing field of research that focuses on manipulating and controlling terahertz waves. This emerging technology utilizes engineered structures known as metamaterials to achieve unprecedented control over THz radiation. By employing the unique properties of metamaterials, researchers aim to develop advanced devices such as THz metasurfaces, photodetectors, and dynamic modulators. The potential applications of THz metamaterial optics extend to diverse areas, including plasmonics, ultrahigh-sensitivity biosensing, optofluidics, and high-speed communication systems.

This Special Issue aims to present original state-of-the-art research articles to discuss the advancements in THz metamaterial optics and devices including their potential applications. It will include but is not limited to solicited papers dealing with novel plasmonics, THz metasurface designs, ultrahigh-sensitivity biosensing and biosensor technologies, terahertz–liquid interactions in optofluidics, THz broadband photodetectors, and THz dynamic modulators.

We strongly encourage the submission of papers focusing on the keywords listed below. However, studies on other related THz topics will also be considered.

Dr. Longhai Liu
Dr. Zhang Zhang
Dr. Chenglong Zheng
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • plasmonics
  • THz metasurfaces
  • biosensing and biosensors
  • optofluidics
  • THz photodetectors
  • dynamic modulators
  • terahertz non-destructive test

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 8798 KiB  
Article
Influence of Thickness and Mass Ratio on Terahertz Spectra and Optical Parameters of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia
by Miao Yu, Chenxi Liu, Yinxiao Miao, Lin Liu, Dawei Wei, Fangrong Hu, Haiyuan Yu, Hao Mei, Yong Shang, Yang Feng, Yanling Pei and Shengkai Gong
Photonics 2025, 12(3), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12030201 - 26 Feb 2025
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Abstract
Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) is an important material in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), which are widely applied in aviation engines and ground gas turbines. Therefore, the quality inspection of the YSZ layer is of great significance for the safety of engines and gas turbines. [...] Read more.
Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) is an important material in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), which are widely applied in aviation engines and ground gas turbines. Therefore, the quality inspection of the YSZ layer is of great significance for the safety of engines and gas turbines. In this work, the YSZ powder is mixed with Polytetrafluoroethylene (also known as teflon) in different mass ratios and pressed into tablets with different thicknesses. A terahertz time-domain spectroscopy system is used to obtain their time-domain spectra, and their frequency spectra are then obtained by fast Fourier transform. Based on theory formulas, we obtained the frequency-dependent curves of the absorption coefficient, refractive index, and absorbance of the YSZ tablets. The results show that the YSZ tablets have characteristic absorption peaks in the terahertz band, and these peaks are affected by the mass ratio of YSZ to teflon and the thickness of the tablets. Finally, we conducted a terahertz Raman spectroscopy test of the YSZ tablets for the first time. The results show that in the range from 0 to 1600 cm−1, there are about ten strong Raman peaks. More importantly, these peaks are approximately independent of the mass ratio and the thickness of tablets. This study is of great significance for the nondestructive testing of TBC quality using terahertz spectroscopy technology. Full article
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16 pages, 6673 KiB  
Article
Simulated Microfluidic Device Constructed Using Terahertz Metamaterial for Sensing and Switching Applications
by Mei Zhu, Xiuxiu Fu, Hongfang Yang, Qianqian Song, Hai-Lung Wang and Shengqian Ma
Photonics 2025, 12(3), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12030194 - 25 Feb 2025
Viewed by 310
Abstract
We propose a microfluidic device that incorporates two layers of planar split-ring resonator (SRR)-based terahertz (THz) metamaterials and study its optical performance through simulation. The device features a concise design and leverages mature and straightforward fabrication processes. Our simulations reveal its remarkable sensing [...] Read more.
We propose a microfluidic device that incorporates two layers of planar split-ring resonator (SRR)-based terahertz (THz) metamaterials and study its optical performance through simulation. The device features a concise design and leverages mature and straightforward fabrication processes. Our simulations reveal its remarkable sensing capabilities, with a sensitivity of up to 507.7 GHz/RIU for refractive index (RI) sensing and 16.03 GHz/μm for pressure sensing. Moreover, the device enables real-time monitoring, as it allows for a continuous flow of liquid between the layers. It can also function as an optical switch with a straightforward controlling method involving injecting and evacuating liquid. The maximum modulation depth (MD) achieved is 64.5%. The influence of fabrication errors during assembly of the two layers was studied in detail through simulation. The device demonstrates great robustness against fabrication imperfections, such as layer misalignment and spacer thickness variations, for most of the applications. Strict alignment is only necessary when targeting high-sensitivity RI sensing using the second resonance. The device’s unique combination of sensitivity, tunability, and compact design paves the way for potential applications in diverse fields, including biosensing, environmental monitoring, and optical communications. Full article
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