Functional THz emitters based on Pancharatnam-Berry phase nonlinear metasurfaces

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Terahertz (THz) Science and Technology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Terahertz (THz) waves offer significant potential for applications like material inspection, imaging, and biomedical science.
• The development of functional THz emitters is crucial for realizing these applications.
• Existing THz sources often lack the necessary functionality for advanced control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce novel broadband THz emitters utilizing Pancharatnam-Berry phase nonlinear metasurfaces.
• To demonstrate nanoscale and all-optical control over THz wave properties.
• To explore new applications enabled by advanced THz emission control.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of nonlinear metasurfaces leveraging Pancharatnam-Berry phase.
• Experimental demonstration of tunable linear polarization for broadband THz pulses.
• Investigation of spin state and frequency splitting in the spatial domain.
• Generation of few-cycle THz pulses with temporal polarization dispersion.

Main Results:

• Successful creation of broadband THz emitters with unique optical functionalities.
• Demonstration of tunable polarization and spatial splitting of THz waves.
• Generation of few-cycle THz pulses exhibiting polarization dispersion.
• Application of spin control for circular dichroism spectroscopy of amino acids.

Conclusions:

• Pancharatnam-Berry phase nonlinear metasurfaces provide a powerful platform for advanced THz emitters.
• Achieved nanoscale and all-optical control over THz wave phase and polarization states.
• Opens new avenues for THz spectroscopy and imaging applications, particularly in biomedical science.