Terahertz Metamaterials Inspired by Quantum Phenomena

Abstract

The study of many phenomena in the terahertz (THz) frequency spectral range has emerged as a promising playground in modern science and technology, with extensive applications in high-speed communication, imaging, sensing, and biosensing. Many THz metamaterial designs explore quantum physics phenomena embedded into a classical framework and exhibiting various unexpected behaviors. For spatial THz waves, the effects inspired by quantum phenomena include electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), Fano resonance, bound states in the continuum (BICs), and exceptional points (EPs) in non-Hermitian systems. They facilitate the realization of extensive functional metadevices and applications. For on-chip THz waves, quantum physics-inspired topological metamaterials, as photonic analogs of topological insulators, can ensure robust, low-loss propagation with suppressed backscattering. These trends open new pathways for high-speed on-chip data transmission and THz photonic integrated circuits, being crucial for the upcoming 6G and 7G wireless communication technologies. Here, we summarize the underlying principles of quantum physics-inspired metamaterials and highlight the latest advances in their application in the THz frequency band, encompassing both spatial and on-chip metadevice realizations.