Sensing applications with THz plasmonic metamaterials

Design and characterization of periodic dielectric or metallic structures such as photonic crystals and plasmonic metamaterials with unique electromagnetic responses have stimulated extensive attention due to the unusual physical phenomena and the potential applications in electromagnetic devices. These artifical materials are based on the original concept of manipulating electromagnetic waves by modulating the permittivity and/or the permeability of the natural materials. With the development of electromagnetic metamaterials, sensors based on plasmonic metamaterials is one of the important topic. In this work, we will discuss (1) new type sensing parameters and its physical meaning based on THz metamaterials. (2) Due to the strong absorption in polar solution such as water, THz sensing applications can not be done in solution. Here, we will demonstrate a self-referenced method based on plasmonic metamaterials to avoid this problem. (3) We will also demonstrate a biospecific sensor based on THz metamaterials.