Terahertz Full-Set Multi-Bit Logic Operations with High-Dimensional Multiplexed Surface Plasmonic Vortices

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Metasurfaces
• Plasmonics

Background:

• Terahertz (THz) on-chip logic gates are vital for post-Moore's computing but lack multifunctionality and reconfigurability.
• Current limitations stem from inadequate multiplexing and dynamic modulation capabilities in THz devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a reconfigurable liquid crystal-integrated plasmonic metasurface for THz full-set logic operations.
• To overcome limitations in multiplexing and dynamic modulation for advanced on-chip logic.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a three-level coherent synthesis strategy for spatiotemporal-frequency-spin multiplexed surface plasmonic vortices.
• Incorporated a spatio-temporal encoding mechanism for flexible surface field manipulations and multi-input-output mappings.
• Employed dual-pixel and quad-level encodings for active control of vortex mode superposition and suppression.

Main Results:

• Achieved up to 64 distinct near-field states with a maximum contrast ratio of 20 dB.
• Demonstrated multi-bit logic operations with up to 7-bit inputs.
• Enabled 2^128 full-set logic schemes, facilitating parallel encryption and logic computing.

Conclusions:

• The developed platform surpasses conventional on-chip logic devices in complexity and capability.
• Paves the way for THz ultra-compact on-chip photonic links.
• Advances high-density data communication and massive data processing applications.