Tunable negative index metamaterial employing in-plane switching mode at terahertz frequencies

We analysed the response of a tunable liquid crystal metamaterial transducer in the terahertz frequency range. Tunability of scattering parameters is achieving by an in-plane switching (IPS) effect. The metamaterial structure is based on Ω-shape resonators. A full-wave analysis technique based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method was performed using the QuickWave 3D electromagnetic solver. Terahertz transmission properties of the metamaterial structure can be controlled by the director of the liquid crystal layer. The effective refractive index for operation frequency varies from negative to positive values. A novel approach to switching of metamaterial transducer by IPS mode is presented.