Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Simulation, Fabrication and Characterization of THz Metamaterial Absorbers
Published on: December 27, 2012
MEMS terahertz-to-infrared band converter using frequency selective planar metamaterial
Fabio Alves1, Leroy Pimental2, Dragoslav Grbovic2
1Department of Physics, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, 93943, USA. fdalves@nps.edu.
Abstract:
A MEMS terahertz-to-infrared converter has been developed based on the unique properties of metamaterials that allow for selective control of the absorptivity and emissivity of the sensors. The converter consists of a sensing element structurally made of planar metamaterial membranes, connected to a substrate frame by four symmetrically-located thermal insulators. Upon THz absorption, the temperature of the sensing element increases and the outward infrared flux from the backside of the element is read by a commercial long-wave infrared camera. Two configurations were designed and fabricated with metamaterial absorptivity optimized for 3.8 THz and 4.75 THz quantum cascade lasers. The first sensor, fabricated with an oxidized aluminum backside, exhibits higher responsivity, but lower conversion efficiency than the second sensor, fabricated with a metamaterial backside. The spectral characteristics of the metamaterial on the two sides can be optimized to improve both responsivity and sensitivity, while keeping the sensors' thermal time constant sufficiently small for real time imaging. No dedicated electronics or optics are required for readout making metamaterial-based MEMS THz-to-IR converters very attractive for THz imaging as means of a simple attachment to commercial IR cameras.
Related Concept Videos
Frequency-dependent Selection
Band Theory
The energy difference between these bands is known as the band gap.
Conductor, Semiconductor,...
Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
Energy Bands in Solids
Band Formation:
When atoms are brought close together, as in a solid, these discrete energy levels begin to split due to the overlap of electron orbitals from adjacent atoms. This split occurs because of the Pauli exclusion principle, which states...
Planar Rigid-Body Motion
Planar motion is typically divided into three distinct categories. The first is rectilinear translation, demonstrated by a subway train that moves along...
Gauss's Law: Planar Symmetry

