Ceramic embedded Metamaterials for Microwave Application Devices - CERMETAD

Project summary

The project aims to develop metamaterials, implemented as metasurfaces, to function as Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs). These metasurfaces will be controlled using light waves transmitted through optical waveguides on a substrate carrier. The absorption of light at the waveguides crossings generates heat to switch the phase changing materials (PCMs) in the unit-cells of the metasurface on or off. Simulation assisted metasurface design, PCM preparation, characterization, and deposition are part of the project. The RIS ability to tailor mm-waves will be evaluated through free-space measurements. Potential applications are in wireless communication, radar, sensing, and imaging requiring precise control of electromagnetic fields. Besides the demonstration of the technological potential, the project is expected to generate fundamental knowledge in wave-matter interactions taking place at the intersection of the fields of material science, optics and communication technologies.