Tunable frequency selective surfaces and negative-zero-positive index metamaterials based on liquid crystals

We utilize the properties of aligned nematic liquid crystal (LC) cells in the design of: (i) a new type of metamaterial whose index of refraction is tunable from negative, through zero, to positive values and (ii) micron-scale metallodielectric and all-dielectric tunable frequency selective surfaces (FSSs). The metamaterial is constructed by randomly doping a liquid crystal substrate with coated dielectric (non-magnetic) spheres and can be utilized over a large spectral range. FSSs with a liquid crystal superstrate are synthesized using conventional and genetic algorithm methods to exhibit broadband tunable filter characteristics at mid-infrared (mid-IR) wavelengths. These LC tunable FSS structures can be used to develop a new class of infrared/ optical switches for terahertz applications.