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Piezoelectrically programmable electric-field driven LC (ELC) resonators acting as THz modulators

Antonios X. Lalas (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece)
Nikolaos V. Kantartzis (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece)
Theodoros D. Tsiboukis (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece)

Abstract

Purpose

Metamaterials are artificially tailored complex media with extraordinary properties, not available in nature. Due to their unique performance, they are considered as a crucial component of modern radio-frequency technology, especially in the THz regime. However, their lack of wide spectral bandwidths introduce constraints for realistic applications. The purpose of this paper is to propose piezoelectric micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) actuators to modify the shape of electric field-driven LC (ELC) resonators. A THz modulation capability is revealed by connecting/disconnecting the associated metal parts.

Design/methodology/approach

Piezoelectric MEMS actuators are proposed to provide the desired bandwidth enhancement along with THz modulation. Two setups with different degrees of freedom in altering the behaviour of the novel modulator are investigated. A variety of numerical data, acquired via the finite element method, substantiate the advantageous characteristics of the proposed structures.

Findings

The novel devices enable the modification of the structural features of an ELC-based complex medium, unveiling in this manner a significant THz modulation capability along with improved bandwidth tunability. Two discrete cases are presented involving different degrees of freedom to shape the overall performance of the metamaterial modulator.

Originality/value

Development of a THz modulator, which utilises metamaterials as its fundamental component. Incorporation of tunable piezoelectric metamaterials into THz technology allowing increased reconfigurability. Bandwidth enhancement of metamaterial systems and alternative design via multiple controllable gaps enabling more degrees of freedom for design purposes.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This research has been cofinanced by the European Union (European Social Fund − ESF) and Greek national funds through the operational programme “Education and Lifelong Learning” of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) − Research Funding Program: Aristeia I. Investing in knowledge society through the European Social Fund.

Citation

Lalas, A.X., Kantartzis, N.V. and Tsiboukis, T.D. (2016), "Piezoelectrically programmable electric-field driven LC (ELC) resonators acting as THz modulators", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 35 No. 4, pp. 1460-1467. https://doi.org/10.1108/COMPEL-12-2015-0480

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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