Tunable magnetic response of metamaterials

Shumin Xiao, Purdue University
Uday K. Chettiar, Purdue University
Alexander V. Kildishev, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
V. Drachev, Birck Nanotechnology Center, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University
I C. Khoo, Penn State University
V. M. Shalaev, Birck Nanotechnology Center and School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University

Abstract

We demonstrate a thermally tunable optical metamaterial with negative permeability working in the visible range. By covering coupled metallic nanostrips with aligned nematic liquid crystals (NLCs), the magnetic response wavelength of the metamaterial is effectively tuned through control of the ambient temperature, changing the refractive index of LC via phase transitions. By increasing the ambient temperature from 20 to 50 degrees C, the magnetic response wavelength shifts from 650 to 632 nm. Numerical simulations confirm our tests and match the experimental observations well.

Discipline(s)

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology