Plasmonics and metamaterials at terahertz frequencies

Abstract

The research presented in this manuscript falls under the framework of metamaterials and plasmonics. It is mainly focused on applications at terahertz (THz) frequencies, a spectral band located between microwaves and infrared. Metamaterials are advanced materials able to synthesize electromagnetic properties hardly found in natural materials by means of engineering their meta-atoms. Metallic inclusions are commonly used in metamaterials design. At low frequency bands such as microwaves and millimeter-waves, metals behave fundamentally differently than at infrared and optics. Plasmonics sets the theory of the interaction processes between electromagnetic radiation and conduction electrons of metals at such high frequencies. The objective of this thesis is to devise, design, analyze and, whenever possible, experimentally realize and measure new metamaterials and plasmonics devices for free-space quasi-optical applications. Particularly, field concentrators in the form of advanced lenses and nanoantennas as well as advanced polarizing devices are targeted. The contributions presented here start from the specific theory of the field and the results are supported by numerical simulations, analytical calculations and/or measurements of real prototypes.