3D Graphene Straintronics for Broadband Terahertz Modulation

Abstract

The increasing utilization of terahertz (THz) bandwidth in both industrial and private sectors highlights the significance of efficient terahertz shielding and absorption devices. These devices play a crucial role in safeguarding electronic components from disruptive effects and rendering objects less detectable by radar systems. However, the limited availability of materials and devices hinders progress in this field. In this study, a strain engineering route is presented for the active control of terahertz shielding and absorption properties in 3D graphene through the application of mechanical strain. A straintronic modulator based on 3D graphene is demonstrated, capable of modulating absorption and reflection of THz radiation in real-time over a wide range of 0.1–3 THz. The modulator can be tuned to exhibit either shielding capability with a specific shielding effectiveness of 0.3 × 10⁵ dB cm² g⁻¹ or stealth characteristics with an average reflection loss of 25 dB and 99.4% absorption. These findings open new avenues for leveraging 2D materials in their 3D porous form, where strain-induced changes in interlayer interactions enable control over the properties of these materials. This discovery unveils vast unexplored physical phenomena with immense potential for advanced THz imaging, radar, and electromagnetic applications.