Tunable magnetic response of metamaterials

Author

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

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.

Keywords

liquid crystal phase transformations; magnetic permeability; metamaterials; molecular orientation; nanostructured materials; nematic liquid crystals; refractive index; visible spectra, NEGATIVE-INDEX; REFRACTION; ALIGNMENT

Citation

DOI: 10.1063/1.3182857

Date of this Version

7-2009

Recommended Citation

Xiao, Shumin; Chettiar, Uday K.; Kildishev, Alexander V.; Drachev, V.; Khoo, I C.; and Shalaev, V. M., "Tunable magnetic response of metamaterials" (2009). Birck and NCN Publications. Paper 445.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/nanopub/445