Hybrid metamaterial based structures for the development of a THz spatial light modulator

We investigate new classes of artificial materials exhibiting unconventional properties in order to build novel devices operating in the Terahertz regime. The design, fabrication and electromagnetic characterization of tunable metamaterials with unit cells based on Split Ring Resonators are presented. By incorporation of a nematic liquid crystal in the structure, we observe a frequency shift in the resonant response over 10% in bandwidth and more than 10 dB change in the signal absorption. We discuss how such a hybrid structure can be exploited for the development of a THz spatial light modulator.