Polarization-selective electromagnetically induced transparency in asymmetric mid-infrared plasmonic metamaterials

The Linh Pham, Nguyen Hai Anh, Nguyen Thi Mai, Vu Dinh Lam, Ewald Janssens, Nguyen Thanh Tung
Author affiliations

Authors

  • The Linh Pham Quantum Solid-State Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200D, Leuven 3001, Belgium https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8482-3204
  • Nguyen Hai Anh Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Nghia Do, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Nguyen Thi Mai Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Nghia Do, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Vu Dinh Lam Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Nghia Do, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Ewald Janssens Quantum Solid-State Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200D, Leuven 3001, Belgium
  • Nguyen Thanh Tung Institute of Materials Science, VAST

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/0868-3166/23333

Keywords:

infrared, metamaterials, plasmonic, strong coupling, electromagnetically induced transparency

Abstract

We demonstrate polarization-controlled electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in asymmetric H-shaped plasmonic metamaterials operating in the mid-infrared regime (5-16 μm). Through controlled symmetry breaking of coupled gold cut-wire resonators, we achieve strong coupling between bright (superradiant) and dark (subradiant) modes, evidenced by an anti-crossing behavior in the reflectance spectrum. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy reveals a tunable transparency window with up to 55% reflectance suppression under TE polarization, while a single plasmonic resonance is maintained under TM-polarized excitation. Finite-integration technique simulations and field distribution analysis confirm the hybridized nature of the observed states, showing quadrupole-dipole mode interaction. The polarization-selective EIT response emerges from coupling between vertical and horizontal resonators whose coupling strength is systematically controlled via lateral displacement (0-0.2 μm) of the vertical resonator. This work establishes a robust platform for tunable mid-infrared photonics, bridging quantum-inspired phenomena with practical metamaterial design for applications in molecular sensing, active optical components, and quantum plasmonics.

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Published

05-03-2026

How to Cite

[1]T. L. Pham, N. H. Anh, N. T. Mai, V. D. Lam, E. Janssens, and N. T. Tung, “Polarization-selective electromagnetically induced transparency in asymmetric mid-infrared plasmonic metamaterials”, Comm. Phys., vol. 36, no. 1, p. 27, Mar. 2026.

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