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Madhu Bhaskaran

Publications and source records attributed to Madhu Bhaskaran.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Fundamental Limitations of Terahertz Quarter-Wave Plates Based on High-Contrast Dielectric Gratings

We present a systematic study of high-contrast dielectric gratings operating as broadband quarter-wave plates in the terahertz range. Using higher-order effective medium theory, we identify an achromatic operating regime characterized by a parabolic-like frequency dependence of the phase retardation. This framework reveals a fundamental bandwidth limit imposed by single-mode operation in one-dimensional rectangular gratings. We show that Fabry-Perot resonances and the higher-order modes set intrinsic constraints on achievable performance. The theoretical predictions are quantitatively validated by rigorous full-wave simulations and terahertz time-domain spectroscopy experiments. Our results reveal clear physical design rules and intrinsic performance limits for broadband terahertz dielectric grating waveplates.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2024

Ultrathin BIC metasurfaces based on ultralow-loss Sb2Se3 phase-change material

Phase-change materials (PCMs) are increasingly recognised as promising platforms for tunable photonic devices due to their ability to modulate optical properties through solid-state phase transitions. Ultrathin and low-loss PCMs are highly valued for their fast and more effective phase transitions and applications in reconfigurable photonic chips, metasurfaces, optical modulators, sensors, photonic memories, and neuromorphic computing. However, conventional PCMs such as GST, GSST, VO2, and In3SbTe2, despite optimisation for tunable meta-optics, suffer from high intrinsic losses in the near-infrared (NIR) region, limiting their potential for high quality factor (Q-factor) resonant metasurfaces. Here we present the design and fabrication of tunable bound states in the continuum (BIC) metasurfaces using the ultralow-loss PCM Sb2Se3. Our BIC metasurfaces, only 25 nm thick, achieve high modulation depth and broad resonance tuning in the NIR with high Q-factors up to 130, without the need for additional materials. Experimentally, we employ these BIC metasurfaces to modulate photoluminescence in rare earth-doped upconversion nanoparticles, reducing the excitation power for multiphoton photoluminescence and enabling emission polarisation manipulation. This work offers a promising platform for developing active resonant metasurfaces in the NIR region, with broad applications including super resolution imaging, optical modulation, ultrafast switches, harmonic generation, colour filtering, and optical sensing.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2023

Reconfigurable Image Processing Metasurfaces with Phase-Change Materials

Optical metasurfaces have been enabling reduced footprint and power consumption, as well as faster speeds, in the context of analog computing and image processing. While various image processing and optical computing functionalities have been recently demonstrated using metasurfaces, most of the considered devices are static and lack reconfigurability. Yet, the ability to dynamically reconfigure processing operations is key for metasurfaces to be able to compete with practical computing systems. Here, we demonstrate a passive edge-detection metasurface operating in the near-infrared regime whose image processing response can be drastically modified by temperature variations smaller than 10° C around a CMOS-compatible temperature of 65° C. Such reconfigurability is achieved by leveraging the insulator-to-metal phase transition of a thin buried layer of vanadium dioxide which, in turn, strongly alters the nonlocal response of the metasurface. Importantly, this reconfigurability is accompanied by performance metrics - such as high numerical aperture, high efficiency, isotropy, and polarization-independence - close to optimal, and it is combined with a simple geometry compatible with large-scale manufacturing. Our work paves the way to a new generation of ultra-compact, tunable, passive devices for all-optical computation, with potential applications in augmented reality, remote sensing and bio-medical imaging.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2020

Broadband Single-Mode Hybrid Photonic Crystal Waveguides for Terahertz Integration on a Chip

A novel terahertz hybrid waveguide chip consisting of silicon photonic crystals sandwiched in parallel gold plates is developed. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the hybrid waveguide offers a wide single-mode transmission window with low group velocity dispersion and low loss. This compact, substrate-free terahertz chip would play a significant role in broadband, dense-integrated, multi-functional terahertz systems.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2019

Terahertz sensing of 7nm dielectric film with bound states in the continuum metasurfaces

Fingerprint spectral response of several materials with terahertz electromagnetic radiation indicates that terahertz technology is an effective tool for sensing applications. However, sensing few nanometer thin-film of dielectrics with much longer terahertz waves (1 THz = 0.3 mm) is challenging. Here, we demonstrate a quasi-bound state in the continuum (BIC) resonance for sensing of nanometer scale thin analyte deposited on a flexible metasurface. The large sensitivity originates from strong local field confinement of the quasi-BIC Fano resonance state and extremely low absorption loss of a low-index cyclic olefin copolymer substrate. A minimum thickness of 7 nm thin-film of germanium is sensed on the metasurface, which corresponds to a deep subwavelength length scale of λ/43000, where λ is the resonance wavelength. The low-loss, flexible and large mechanical strength of the quasi-BIC micro structured metamaterial sensor could be an ideal platform for developing ultrasensitive wearable terahertz sensors.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2018

Nanoscale compositional evolution in complex oxide based resistive memories

Functional oxides based resistive memories are recognized as potential candidate for the next-generation high density data storage and neuromorphic applications. Fundamental understanding of the compositional changes in the functional oxides is required to tune the resistive switching characteristics for enhanced memory performance. Herein, we present the micro/nano-structural and compositional changes induced in a resistive oxide memory during resistive switching. Oxygen deficient amorphous chromium doped strontium titanate (Cr:$a$-SrTiO$_{3-x}$) based resistance change memories are fabricated in a Ti/Cr:$a$-SrTiO$_{3-x}$ heterostructure and subjected to different biasing conditions to set memory states. Transmission electron microscope based cross-sectional analyses of the memory devices in different memory states shows that the micro/nano-structural changes in amorphous complex oxide and associated redox processes define the resistive switching behavior. These experimental results provide insights and supporting material for Ref. [1].

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2018

High order synaptic learning in neuro-mimicking resistive memories

Memristors have demonstrated immense potential as building blocks in future adaptive neuromorphic architectures. Recently, there has been focus on emulating specific synaptic functions of the mammalian nervous system by either tailoring the functional oxides or engineering the external programming hardware. However, high device-to-device variability in memristors induced by the electroforming process and complicated programming hardware are among the key challenges that hinder achieving biomimetic neuromorphic networks. Here, an electroforming-free and complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible memristor based on oxygen-deficient SrTiO$_{3-x}$ (STO$_x$) is reported to imitate synaptic learning rules. Through spectroscopic and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopic analyses, electroforming-free characteristics are attributed to the bandgap reduction of STO$_x$ by the formation of oxygen vacancies. The potential of such memristors to behave as artificial synapses is demonstrated by successfully implementing high order time- and rate-dependent synaptic learning rules. Also, a simple hybrid CMOS-memristor approach is presented to implement a variety of synaptic learning rules. Results are benchmarked against biological measurements form hippocampal and visual cortices with good agreement. This demonstration is a step towards the realization of large scale adaptive neuromorphic computation and networks.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗
arXiv2015

In situ characterisation of nanoscale electromechanical properties of quasi-two-dimensional MoS2 and MoO3

Precise manipulation of electronic band structures of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides and oxides (TMD&Os) via localised strain engineering is an exciting avenue for exploiting their unique characteristics for electronics, optoelectronics, and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) applications. This work experimentally demonstrates that mechanically-induced electrical transitions can be engineered in quasi-2D molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) and molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) using an in situ electrical nanoindentation technique. It is shown that localised strains on such quasi-2D layers can induce carrier transport alterations, thereby changing their electrical conduction behaviour. Such strain effects offer a potential tool for precisely manipulating the electronic transport properties of 2D TMD&Os, and understanding the interactions of the atomic electronic states in such layered materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2012

Reflectarray antennas for terahertz communications

Reflectarrays composed of resonant microstrip gold patches on a dielectric substrate are demonstrated for operation at terahertz frequencies. Based on the relation between the patch size and the reflection phase, a progressive phase distribution is implemented on the patch array to create a reflector able to deflect an incident beam towards a predefined angle off the specular direction. In order to confirm the validity of the design, a set of reflectarrays each with periodically distributed 360*360 patch elements are fabricated and measured. The experimental results obtained through terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) show that up to nearly 80% of the incident amplitude is deflected into the desired direction at an operation frequency close to 1 THz. The radiation patterns of the reflectarray in TM and TE polarizations are also obtained at different frequencies. This work presents an attractive concept for developing components able to efficiently manipulate terahertz radiation for emerging terahertz communications.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2011

Sub-diffraction thin-film sensing with planar terahertz metamaterials

Planar metamaterials have been recently proposed for thin dielectric film sensing in the terahertz frequency range. Although the thickness of the dielectric film can be very small compared with the wavelength, the required area of sensed material is still determined by the diffraction-limited spot size of the terahertz beam excitation. In this article, terahertz near-field sensing is utilized to reduce the spot size. By positioning the metamaterial sensing platform close to the sub-diffraction terahertz source, the number of excited resonators, and hence minimal film area, are significantly reduced. As an additional advantage, a reduction in the number of excited resonators decreases the inter-cell coupling strength, and consequently the resonance Q factor is remarkably increased. The experimental results show that the resonance Q factor is improved by 113%. Moreover, for a film with a thickness of λ/375 the minimal area can be as small as 0.2λby 0.2λ. The success of this work provides a platform for future metamaterial-based sensors for biomolecular detection.

physics.optics↗