Dynamic control of asymmetric electromagnetic wave transmission by active chiral metamaterial

The asymmetric transmission of electromagnetic (EM) wave can be fully manipulated by chiral metamaterials, but little can achieve real-time and high efficient tunability due to challenges in practically deployable solutions. Here, we proposed a new scheme for flexibly and dynamically controlling the asymmetric EM wave transmission at microwave frequencies using planar metamaterial of deep subwavelength thickness incorporated with active components of PIN diodes. The asymmetric transmission of linearly polarized EM wave exhibits a high efficiency and a pronounced real-time continuous tunability controlled by the external stimulation of voltage biasing. In addition, the asymmetric transmission effect can be well preserved at large oblique incident angle up to ±70°. The design principle and EM performance are validated by both full wave simulations and experimental measurements. Such dynamically controllable chiral metamaterial may provide robust and flexible approach to manipulate EM wave propagation, as well as to facilitate EM device integration to create diverse functionalities.