Stretching as a Versatile Tool for Fine-Tuning of THz Optical Elements and Metasurfaces based on Carbon Nanotubes

Stretching as a Versatile Tool for Fine-Tuning of THz Optical Elements and Metasurfaces based on Carbon Nanotubes | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Stretching as a Versatile Tool for Fine-Tuning of THz Optical Elements and Metasurfaces based on Carbon Nanotubes Maria Burdanova, Arina Radivon, Jingwen He, Nikita Raginov, Elizaveta Tsiplakova, and 11 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9402809/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Active manipulation of electromagnetic waves through changes in nanomaterial properties is a key strategy forintegrating these materials into modern adjustable terahertz (THz) technologies. In this work, this direction is advanced by demonstrating a method for realizing mechanically stretchable THz diffractive elements and metasurfaces built from single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). This nature-inspired concept draws an analogy to the dynamic expansion and contraction of the biological eye lens for adaptive wave focusing. Four types of THz elements deposited on a stretchable substrate are presented: a Fresnel zone plate (FZP), spiral zone plates (SZPs) with topological charges 𝑚 = 3 and 𝑚 = 4, and a Pancharatnam–Berry (PB) metasurface. Each device comprises ultrathin SWCNT films with tailored geometries, enabled by a unique deposition technique applicable to diverse element shapes. The FZP exhibits focal distance tuning from 24 to 30 mm under 0–20% strain. The metasurface lens demonstrates focal plane shifting from 17 to 24 mm under 0–20% strain, maintaining stable performance across the 265–441 GHz range. The SZPs preserve their orbital angular momentum states under deformation, with focal positions shifting monotonically with increasing strain. SWCNT films exhibit exceptional mechanical robustness, with less than 10% variation in peak intensity after 1,000 stretch-release cycles at 0–10% strain and 500 cycles at 0–20% strain. The presented devices demonstrate broadband operational stability. We introduce a new Figure of Merit combining mechanical tunability and spectral bandwidth. Developing this concept could lead to varifocal THz lenses, extending the spectral boundaries of modern imaging systems. Physical sciences/Optics and photonics/Optical materials and structures/Carbon nanotubes and fullerenes Physical sciences/Optics and photonics/Applied optics/Optoelectronic devices and components Single-walled carbon nanotubes terahertz lens tunable optics focus position modulation mechanical modulation Full Text Additional Declarations There is no conflict of interest Supplementary Files FigureS1.pdf FigureS2.pdf FigureS3.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9402809","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":622195661,"identity":"61abddc0-b45f-4053-911e-9ff4685d8681","order_by":0,"name":"Maria 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In this work, this direction is advanced by demonstrating a method for realizing mechanically stretchable THz diffractive elements and metasurfaces built from single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). This nature-inspired concept draws an analogy to the dynamic expansion and contraction of the biological eye lens for adaptive wave focusing. Four types of THz elements deposited on a stretchable substrate are presented: a Fresnel zone plate (FZP), spiral zone plates (SZPs) with topological charges 𝑚 = 3 and 𝑚 = 4, and a Pancharatnam–Berry (PB) metasurface. Each device comprises ultrathin SWCNT films with tailored geometries, enabled by a unique deposition technique applicable to diverse\r\nelement shapes. The FZP exhibits focal distance tuning from 24 to 30 mm under 0–20% strain. The metasurface lens demonstrates focal plane shifting from 17 to 24 mm under 0–20% strain, maintaining stable performance across the 265–441 GHz range. The SZPs preserve their orbital angular momentum states under deformation, with focal positions shifting monotonically with increasing strain. SWCNT films exhibit exceptional mechanical robustness, with less than 10% variation in peak intensity after 1,000 stretch-release cycles at 0–10% strain and 500 cycles at 0–20% strain. The presented devices demonstrate broadband operational stability. We introduce a new Figure of Merit combining mechanical tunability and spectral bandwidth. 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