Dual-Axis Metasurface Strain Sensor Based on Polarization-Phase-Deformation Relationship

Area of Science:

• Metamaterials and Nanophotonics
• Electromagnetics and Optics
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Metasurfaces (MS) offer unique electromagnetic properties for sensing applications.
• Improving the sensitivity and accuracy of dual-axis strain sensing remains a key challenge.
• Deformation-induced phase shifts in MS are crucial for sensing mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and demonstrate a novel approach for enhancing the sensitivity of dual-axis strain sensing.
• To design and fabricate a flexible metasurface for precise strain measurement.
• To evaluate the performance of the metasurface in the microwave band.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the sharp phase response of a metasurface to its deformation.
• Calculating multi-polarized reception for phase measurement with anisotropic incident electromagnetic (EM) waves.
• Designing and fabricating a flexible metasurface with periodically arranged lantern-shaped elements.
• Conducting simulations and experimental measurements for performance evaluation.

Main Results:

• The proposed metasurface exhibits high sensitivity for dual-axis strain sensing in the microwave band.
• The method demonstrated feasible phase measurement through multi-polarized reception.
• The flexible metasurface successfully detected strain with high precision.

Conclusions:

• The developed metasurface-based approach significantly improves dual-axis strain sensing sensitivity.
• The method shows potential for both pressure and tensile sensing applications.
• The operational frequency can be extended to THz and optical bands, broadening applicability.