https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/s10053-026-01177-0
Research - Photon
Theoretical research on a vanadium dioxide-based terahertz metamaterial supporting switchable dual functions of broadband absorption and polarization conversion
1
College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Shanxi University, 030006, Taiyuan, People’s Republic of China
2
Computer Center, School of Modern Education Technology, Shanxi University, 030006, Taiyuan, People’s Republic of China
3
Shanxi Key Laboratory of Wireless Communication and Detection, 030006, Taiyuan, People’s Republic of China
a
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Received:
15
February
2026
Accepted:
27
April
2026
Published online:
25
May
2026
Abstract
A switchable dual-functional terahertz (THz) metamaterial that can switch between broadband absorption and cross-polarization conversion is designed and investigated based on the phase transition characteristics of vanadium dioxide (
). When is in its metallic state, the metamaterial functions as a broadband absorber, exhibiting an absorption rate exceeding 90% and a relative bandwidth (RBW) of 90% within the range of 2.16–5.71 THz. When is in its insulating state, the device operates as a broadband polarization converter, achieving a polarization conversion ratio (PCR) exceeding 90% and a relative bandwidth (RBW) of 131% within the range of 1.25–6.02 THz. In addition, for these two working modes, the device exhibits acceptable tolerance toward incident angle and polarization angle. These advantages make the proposed 
-based dual-functional metamaterial device have potential application prospects in multiple THz fields such as absorption, polarization conversion, imaging, and so on.
Copyright comment Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, SIF and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
