Characterization and analysis of electrically controlled metamaterial terahertz modulators using the current response method

Two electrically controlled metamaterial terahertz (THz) modulators with different configurations of metamaterial elements and electrodes are characterized and analyzed by the current response method, which demonstrates the effectiveness of configuration modifications of metamaterial elements and electrodes for the improvements of modulation performances, and determines the key factor influencing the modulation speed. Additionally, the results of characterization and comparison are verified using a dynamic characteristic measurement system and good agreements are achieved, which demonstrates the more convenient current response method can be used to characterize the electrically controlled metamaterial THz modulator.