Paper-folding-based terahertz anti-resonant cavity

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Metamaterials
• Terahertz (THz) Technology

Background:

• Core-anti-resonant reflection (CARR) cavities offer expanded material and morphology choices.
• Fabry-Perot (F-P) cavities traditionally have limitations in material flexibility.
• Paper, an unconventional material, has demonstrated potential as a precision resonator in the THz band.

Purpose of the Study:

• To integrate origami functionality with CARR cavities for programmable distance adjustment.
• To explore the application of origami-enhanced CARR cavities in sensing and polarization conversion.
• To demonstrate a new degree of freedom for tuning resonant frequencies and cavity properties.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an octagonal paper tube cavity incorporating origami patterns.
• Programmable adjustment of the distance between parallel cavity surfaces using origami.
• Characterization of the cavity's performance in pressure sensing and THz polarization conversion.

Main Results:

• Achieved programmable control over the cavity distance, enabling frequency tuning.
• Demonstrated high-sensitivity pressure sensing with a sensitivity of 57.9 kPa⁻¹.
• Successfully utilized the origami cavity as a THz polarization converter, modulating linear to circular polarization states.

Conclusions:

• The combination of CARR cavities and origami provides a flexible platform for tunable THz devices.
• Origami-enhanced CARR cavities show promise for advanced applications like sensitive pressure sensors and polarization converters.
• Future work can explore 4D or soft-magneto origami materials for multi-responsive CARR cavities.