Dynamic Modulation of Electromagnetically Induced Transparency Metamaterials through Mode Coupling and Stretchable Design

The active control of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) metamaterials (MM) has the potential to revolutionize communication networks without relying on quantum technology. However, current reconfigurable systems offer limited flexibility and have high fabrication costs and difficulties. In this study, we examine a classical EIT metamaterial and discover a novel modulation mechanism that leverages mode coupling to dynamically adjust the bandwidth and group delay of the EIT MM. This mechanism is verified through analyses of the electric field and surface charge density distributions. Additionally, a robust coupled Lorentz oscillator model is used to explain the coupling mechanism, with results that are in good agreement with simulations and experiments. To capitalize on this mechanism, we propose a block-definition approach where the MM is divided into stretchable sections, allowing for dynamic modulation of the bandwidth and group delay by stretching the EIT MM. Furthermore, the fabrication process is highly compatible with traditional flexible printed circuit board techniques. Our block-definition EIT MM offers unprecedented tunability and flexibility, requiring no complex components or specialized materials, making it a promising candidate for tunable slow-wave devices and other reconfigurable microwave applications.