Three-dimensional optical metamaterial with a negative refractive index

Metamaterials are artificially engineered structures that have properties, such as a negative refractive index, not attainable with naturally occurring materials. Negative-index metamaterials (NIMs) were first demonstrated for microwave frequencies, but it has been challenging to design NIMs for optical frequencies and they have so far been limited to optically thin samples because of significant fabrication challenges and strong energy dissipation in metals. Such thin structures are analogous to a monolayer of atoms, making it difficult to assign bulk properties such as the index of refraction. Negative refraction of surface plasmons was recently demonstrated but was confined to a two-dimensional waveguide. Three-dimensional (3D) optical metamaterials have come into focus recently, including the realization of negative refraction by using layered semiconductor metamaterials and a 3D magnetic metamaterial in the infrared frequencies; however, neither of these had a negative index of refraction. Here we report a 3D optical metamaterial having negative refractive index with a very high figure of merit of 3.5 (that is, low loss). This metamaterial is made of cascaded 'fishnet' structures, with a negative index existing over a broad spectral range. Moreover, it can readily be probed from free space, making it functional for optical devices. We construct a prism made of this optical NIM to demonstrate negative refractive index at optical frequencies, resulting unambiguously from the negative phase evolution of the wave propagating inside the metamaterial. Bulk optical metamaterials open up prospects for studies of 3D optical effects and applications associated with NIMs and zero-index materials such as reversed Doppler effect, superlenses, optical tunnelling devices, compact resonators and highly directional sources.     

具有双负折射率通带的双结构单元渔网电磁超介质的数值模拟研究

基于传统的＂金属-电介质-金属＂渔网状电磁超介质,平行和交叉排列具有不同介电常数介质板的两种单元,利用数值方法研究了两种排列方式下渔网电磁超介质的左手行为.与采用单一介质板相比,使用两种电介质板形成的双结构单元渔网结构能够使不同的单元在不同频率下谐振,表现出双负折射率通带.利用楔形结构和后向波模拟验证了两种排列方式下双结构单元渔网结构的负折射特性.利用双结构单元渔网结构,可以通过调节介质板的介电常数,同时在一个或多个频率带实现负折射,这为制作性能更为优良的多频带滤波器和变频通信微波器件等提供了一种可行方法.     

A Newtonian approach to extraordinarily strong negative refraction

Metamaterials with negative refractive indices can manipulate electromagnetic waves in unusual ways, and can be used to achieve, for example, sub-diffraction-limit focusing, the bending of light in the 'wrong' direction, and reversed Doppler and Cerenkov effects. These counterintuitive and technologically useful behaviours have spurred considerable efforts to synthesize a broad array of negative-index metamaterials with engineered electric, magnetic or optical properties. Here we demonstrate another route to negative refraction by exploiting the inertia of electrons in semiconductor two-dimensional electron gases, collectively accelerated by electromagnetic waves according to Newton's second law of motion, where this acceleration effect manifests as kinetic inductance. Using kinetic inductance to attain negative refraction was theoretically proposed for three-dimensional metallic nanoparticles and seen experimentally with surface plasmons on the surface of a three-dimensional metal. The two-dimensional electron gas that we use at cryogenic temperatures has a larger kinetic inductance than three-dimensional metals, leading to extraordinarily strong negative refraction at gigahertz frequencies, with an index as large as -700. This pronounced negative refractive index and the corresponding reduction in the effective wavelength opens a path to miniaturization in the science and technology of negative refraction.     

太赫兹波段树枝状三维各向同性左手材料设计及特性研究

基于微波段二维树枝状左手材料的设计思想,设计了太赫兹波段的三维各向同性左手材料结构单元模型.采用金属Drude模型,运用等效媒质理论,仿真模拟了结构单元的电磁响应特性,计算了结构单元的有关电磁参数,分析了其缺陷效应和吸波特性.结果表明折射率在太赫兹波段1.17¹.38 THz之间为负值,并通过模拟负折射验证了其左手特性;在缺陷严重情况下,其左手特性将消失;通过对模型进行改进,在1.47 THz处出现了一个吸收峰,吸收率高达98%.该模型结构简单,研究结果为采用自上而下的方法制备三维太赫兹波段左手材料指出了途径.     

一种折射率近零超材料的设计、制作和表征

利用人工结构制成的超材料能够实现天然材料所不具备的特性,电磁超材料作为一个新兴、多学科交叉领域,在理论探究和实验证明上都已成为近年来科学研究的热点之一,除单负和双负材料之外,电磁参数近零的超材料因其在光学隐身、天线雷达、军事等方面的应用也受到科学家的广泛关注。本文利用共振的H分形结构设计制作了在微波频段下折射率分布在[0,1]之间的微波超材料,而且利用微波波导传输线对多种变化尺度的晶胞结构进行电磁参数的测量,得到了每种晶胞结构对应的X波段折射率频谱,通过研究晶胞结构单元的等效电磁参数实现了一种折射率近零超材料,从而为实现近零折射率分布的变换光学器件如Inside-out Eaton Lens的实验研制提供了材料选择。     

基于THz-TDS技术的钢板锈蚀厚度的无损检测

针对现有无损检测技术对钢板材料早期锈蚀厚度难以实现精确检测的问题,基于非接触无损的太赫兹时域光谱（THz-TDS）技术,利用太赫兹（THz）波对非极性材料的透射性及对极性金属材料的反射性,测定了锈蚀产物的光学参数信息和钢板的锈蚀层厚度. 试验结果表明,在有效频率0.2~1.6 THz范围内,锈蚀产物的折射率近似为2.8. 反射THz信号的第一相对幅值与样品的锈蚀时间呈对数函数关系,且与锈蚀时间的倒数呈线性关系. 试验结果还表明,钢板样品锈蚀层厚度随锈蚀时间的增加呈线性递增关系,且利用THz技术测定的厚度值准确率达到90%以上. 从而证明了非接触式THz-TDS技术对钢板锈蚀厚度检测的可行性和精确性.     

样品厚度误差对THz波段样品折射率的影响

本文用THz时域光谱技术对不同厚度的同种维生素进行了探测,并得到了它们在0.2-2.5 THz波段范围的折射率谱.通过对比实验结果发现：厚度不同的同种样品在相同的频率下具有不同的折射率;样品越厚,折射率的误差就越小.这一实验结果与理论推导相一致.本文的研究结果可以作为利用THz时域光谱技术依据折射率鉴别物质的参考因素.     

钡铁氧体的太赫兹时域光谱

利用溶胶-凝胶自蔓延燃烧法制备了钡铁氧体和Al 掺杂钡铁氧体样品, 并利用太赫兹时域光谱(terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, THz-TDS)对样品进行了测试. 结果表明, 样品吸收谱在 0~1.2 THz 频段内随着频率的增大而增大, 钡铁氧体的折射率随频率的增大而减小; Al 掺杂的钡铁氧体样品的折射率随频率的增大而增大, 且Al 的掺杂导致钡铁氧体THz波段的折射率减小.     

压强和温度对薄膜折射率的影响模型

基于膜分子和气相分子在沉积时竞争的观点,得到压强和温度对薄膜折射率影响的理论模型.模型的研究表明,薄膜折射率随真空压强的增加而降低;并随沉积温度的增加而增加.在不同真空压强和不同沉积温度下制备了氧化锆薄膜,计算了样品的折射率,结果显示的规律和理论模型的规律基本一致.     

铌酸锂单晶的太赫兹光谱及光学常数之间的关系

利用太赫兹时域光谱(THz-TDS)技术,对铌酸锂(LiNbO3)样品在0.4-1.6 THz范围的吸收系数和折射率进行测量和分析。实验样品为LiNbO3(clear),LiNbO3∶Fe(0.08%),LiNbO3∶Fe(0.1%)的晶体,三个样品均为(001)取向,观察和分析样品中掺入Fe对吸收系数和折射率等光学常数的影响,根据Debey近似模拟样品在低频吸收边的吸收结构系数。并利用光学常数之间的关系计算了样品在0.4-1.6 THz范围的介电常数(ν).     

电荷耦合器件型折射率测定仪的研制

基于折射定律设计光路，利用线阵电荷耦合器件（CCD）对光斑位移进行检测，研制成功小型的能够测量透明介质折射率的仪器，设计的测量折射率的范围显著增加．介绍了该仪器设计的基本原理、使用方法，并通过对一些材料折射率的测量，证明其具有较高的测量准确性．     

垒层介质折射率对光量子阱透射谱的影响

利用传输矩阵法理论,研究垒层介质折射率对光量子阱透射谱的影响,结果表明：垒层高折射率介质的折射率越大,光量子阱的透射峰带宽越窄;垒、阱层介质的折射率之和的比值越大,光量子阱的透射峰带宽越窄。光量子透射峰带宽对垒层介质折射率的响应规律,不仅可以解决自然介质的折射率上限问题,而且为设计窄带高品质的光学滤波器件提供理论依据,同时对光量子阱的理论研究也具有积极的指导意义。     

尼科耳棱镜中非常光折射率的讨论

给出了晶体中任一方向非常光(简称e)光折射率公式,计算了尼科耳棱镜中e光的折射率,指出这一折射率并非e光的主折射率。     

等效折射率模型分析二维光子晶体微谐振腔模态

 采用数值计算方法,利用等效折射率模型研究不同折射率材料制造的二维光子晶体微谐振腔的模态。发现可以通过增加薄膜厚度达到良好的光子局域化。讨论了薄膜层材料折射率分别为n=3.42,2.50,1.80,1.60,薄膜层厚度分别对应为0.1529,0.2182,0.3341,0.4003μm,其等效折射率分别对应于2.81,2.23,1.52,1.38时,达到良好光子局域,说明介质材料与空气折射率差值小的光子晶体微谐振腔结构若要有好的光子局限能力,除了需要靠介质材料本身的全反射效应外,还需有足够厚的膜层厚度。从而找到一个能控制光场分布同时维持单模振荡的机制,揭示微谐振腔体薄膜层厚度对模态影响,为实际研制具有高质量微谐振腔提供了一种较好的预估手段。     

含负折射率材料的宽带全方位反射镜

利用传输矩阵方法模拟了正负折射率材料交替生成的多层膜体系的反射率对不同偏振模式的角度和频率响应。结果表明,该体系具有很宽的反射带,并且反射带不会随着入射角度的变化而发生平移,可以用来制作高品质的宽带全方位反射镜。     

复杂环境地区电波折射修正中的折射率精确获取方法

雷达电波射线上大气折射率的准确性是提高电波折射误差修正精度的关键因素之一.对下垫面复杂地区的雷达系统,常用的大气球面分层法因没有考虑大气水平方向变化使得电波射线上的折射率具有较大的误差,从而影响了电波折射误差修正精度.针对下垫面复杂地区的三维大气结构,提出了获得电波射线上大气折射率的组合方法,即在雷达所在地采用直接探测法,在其他电波射线上,先计算出射线点的位置,然后再利用已建立的全国大气剖面模型数据库得到该位置的大气折射率,从而较为精确地获得电波射线上的大气折射率.经实验验证,采用组合法获得的电波射线上的折射率不仅具有较好的精度,而且可有效地提高电波折射误差修正精度,进而提高下垫面复杂地区的雷达探测精度.     

Metal wires for terahertz wave guiding

Sources and systems for far-infrared or terahertz (1 THz = 10(12) Hz) radiation have received extensive attention in recent years, with applications in sensing, imaging and spectroscopy. Terahertz radiation bridges the gap between the microwave and optical regimes, and offers significant scientific and technological potential in many fields. However, waveguiding in this intermediate spectral region still remains a challenge. Neither conventional metal waveguides for microwave radiation, nor dielectric fibres for visible and near-infrared radiation can be used to guide terahertz waves over a long distance, owing to the high loss from the finite conductivity of metals or the high absorption coefficient of dielectric materials in this spectral range. Furthermore, the extensive use of broadband pulses in the terahertz regime imposes an additional constraint of low dispersion, which is necessary for compatibility with spectroscopic applications. Here we show how a simple waveguide, namely a bare metal wire, can be used to transport terahertz pulses with virtually no dispersion, low attenuation, and with remarkable structural simplicity. As an example of this new waveguiding structure, we demonstrate an endoscope for terahertz pulses.     

镜像对称的光子晶体透射带特性

通过传输矩阵方法计算了镜像对称光子晶体的带隙结构,结果表明该结构具有优越的窄带滤波性能.如果在该光子晶体两端均加入较高的折射率介质,构成夹心"三明治"结构,这时的光子晶体透射带结构出现多通道滤波特性;当两端加入不同的较高折射率介质但其光学厚度仍保持为基本结构单元的光学厚度时,得到宽度为50~2500 nm大范围的低透射区,其具有宽带阻波作用;当两端加入的不同高折射率介质但光学厚度变为基本光学厚度的两倍时,则得到在中心波长处出现非常窄的完全透射峰,这种带隙结构可用来设计优异理想窄带滤波器.     

Complete photonic bandgaps in 12-fold symmetric quasicrystals

Photonic crystals are attracting current interest for a variety of reasons, such as their ability to inhibit the spontaneous emission of light. This and related properties arise from the formation of photonic bandgaps, whereby multiple scattering of photons by lattices of periodically varying refractive indices acts to prevent the propagation of electromagnetic waves having certain wavelengths. One route to forming photonic crystals is to etch two-dimensional periodic lattices of vertical air holes into dielectric slab waveguides. Such structures can show complete photonic bandgaps, but only for large-diameter air holes in materials of high refractive index (such as gallium arsenide, n = 3.69), which unfortunately leads to significantly reduced optical transmission when combined with optical fibres of low refractive index. It has been suggested that quasicrystalline (rather than periodic) lattices can also possess photonic bandgaps. Here we demonstrate this concept experimentally and show that it enables complete photonic bandgaps--non-directional and for any polarization--to be realized with small air holes in silicon nitride (n = 2.02), and even glass (n = 1.45). These properties make photonic quasicrystals promising for application in a range of optical devices.     

鱼刺状宽带超材料吸波体设计研究

实现宽带吸收是超材料吸波体研究面临的主要问题之一.基于此设计了鱼刺状宽带超材料吸波体,采用商业电磁仿真软件Microwave studio CST对超材料吸波体的吸收性能进行了计算和分析,结果表明设计的鱼刺状超材料吸波体可以在较宽的频率范围内实现电磁波的高吸收,在89.68~94.36GHz之间吸收率保持在90%以上.结构单元具有简单、较容易制备等优点.