Abstract
This study investigates an asymmetric tip design for a far-infrared metamaterial aimed at enhancing the Q factor and detection sensitivity. Employing the conventional double-split square ring resonator as a model, we conducted theoretical simulations to investigate the impact of different tip angles on the electric field distribution, resonance spectrum, and Q factor. The results show that the asymmetric tip increases the surface electric field of the resonator, decreases the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the resonance peak, and increases the Q factor to over three times that of the conventional split ring. Our findings offer valuable insights for the development of highly sensitive far-infrared metamaterial sensors. Furthermore, we propose a straightforward and practical optimization approach to enhance the Q factor of conventional split ring metamaterials.
Far-infrared rays (FIR) are electromagnetic waves within the wavelength range of 4-1 000 μ
Despite the versatile applications of traditional far-infrared technology in biomedical detection, it encounters challenges, particularly in detecting trace biomolecules due to insufficient sensitivity. Traditional FIR spectroscopy exhibits sensitivity in the milligram range, while the concentration of biomarkers in biological samples is usually in the microgram range or even the nanogram range. Thus, the far-infrared characteristic absorption peaks of biomarkers are often too weak to be identified and quantified accuratel
In metamaterial biosensors, the quality factor Q (Q factor) is the critical performance indicator for evaluating sensor sensitivit
Theoretical simulations were performed using the COMSOL 5.4 software. The periodical boundary conditions with Floquet were applied in the x- and y-directions of a basic unit, and the open boundary condition was used in the z-direction along with the propagation direction of the incident wave.
A typical metal double split-ring resonator structure based on the LC mechanism was selected for the asymmetric tip design. The metamaterial is composed of a metal double-split ring unit cell array and a substrate layer. Its three-dimensional structure is shown in

Fig. 1 Structural parameters of asymmetrically tipped split-ring resonator
图 1 开口谐振环的非对称针尖设计结构参数
Typical split-ring resonators are inherently asymmetric. This asymmetry results in a potential difference between their left and right parts along the axis of the electric field, leading to an oscillating current according to the LC effect. Each ring resonator forms an LC oscillating circuit. The split gap represents a capacitance, and the metal ring can be equivalent to an inductance, as depicted in
, | (1) |
Where is the inductance, is the capacitance, is dielectric constant of vacuum, is the electric field strength at the gap, and is the dielectric constant at different electric field strengths. The inductance () and capacitance () are affected by the geometrical parameters of the ring resonato

Fig. 2 Schematic of asymmetric tip design for far-IR metamaterial:(a) Schematic of equivalent capacitance and inductance effect;(b) Relationship between the tip length, tip area and the tip angle.
图 2 远红外超材料的非对称针尖设计示意图:(a) 等效电容电感示意图;(b) 针尖长度、针尖面积和针尖角度之间的关系
Herein, a double-split square ring is used to study the influence of gap shape on the resonance properties.
, | (2) |
Firstly, we investigated the impact of an asymmetric tip on the surface electric field distribution of double split-ring resonators through theoretical simulation. The tip angles of the gap g1 are classified into three categories: obtuse angles (180°, 150°, 120°), approximate right angles (105°, 90°, 75°), and acute angles (60°, 30°, 16°).

Fig. 3 Surface electric field distribution of far-IR metamaterial: (a) untipped structure; (b-i) asymmetric tip structure. The tip angle is (b)150°; (c)120°; (d) 105°; (e) 90°; (f) 75°; (g) 60°; (h) 30°, and (i) 16°, respectively
图 3 远红外超材料的表面电场分布图:(a) 传统结构;(b-i)非对称针尖结构. 针尖角度分别为 (b) 150°;(c) 120°;(d) 105°;(e) 90°;(f) 75°;(g) 60°;(h) 30°和(i) 16°
These results indicate that the asymmetric tip design does not change the theoretical mechanisms of the split-ring resonator, but it amplifies the electric field strength. This is because it alters the shape of the metal layer, which directly affects the behavior of free electrons in the metal. As a result, under resonance conditions, this shape change facilitates easier excitation of free electrons by incident light and enhances the local electric field.
Then, we studied the impact of an asymmetric tip on the resonance absorption peaks of double split-ring metamaterials. The far-infrared resonance spectra, obtained through theoretical simulations, as shown in

Fig. 4 Resonance wavenumber under different asymmetric tip angles (normalized resonant peaks separated in the vertical axis)
图 4 不同非对称针尖角度下超材料的谐振波长(谐振峰经归一化处理并沿纵轴等间距分离)

Fig. 5 FWHM under different asymmetric tip angles: (a) Normalized spectra; (b) Relationship between FWHM and tip angle
图 5 不同非对称针尖角度下超材料谐振峰的半峰全宽:(a) 归一化谐振吸收谱;(b) 半峰全宽与针尖角度之间的关系
The relationship between the Q factor and the tip angle (θ) is depicted in

Fig. 6 Q factors of the double split-ring resonators under different asymmetric tip angles.
图 6 不同非对称针尖角度下双开口谐振环的品质因子Q
To investigate the impact of asymmetric tip structures on the sensing sensitivity of metamaterials, we constructed a series of simulation experiments on untipped and tipped metamaterials (with a 90° angle). A sample layer was constructed on the surface of the metamaterial (

Fig. 7 Sensing sensitivity of the double split-ring resonators under different asymmetric tip angles:(a) Schematic of simulation model. The dielectric constant is (b) 2.0 and (c) 3.6, respectively
图 7 双开口谐振环在不同非对称针尖角度下的传感灵敏度:(a)仿真模型;模型中待分析物介电常数分别为(b)2.0和(c)3.6
This study focuses on the impact of asymmetric tip design on the resonance properties of typical double-split metal square ring, in the far-infrared region. The electric field distribution, resonance frequency, FWHM of the resonance peak, Q factor, and sensing sensitivity are all analyzed. The results indicate that asymmetric tip design enhances the electric field strength at the gap. As tip angle increases, the resonance frequency exhibits a redshift, the FWHM firstly decreases and then increases, while the Q factor firstly increases and then decreases. Notably, at a 90° angle, the Q factor reaches a maximum of 173.52—over three times higher than the untipped resonator with identical structural parameters. This work proposes an asymmetric tip design that significantly enhances the Q factor and sensing sensitivity. This strategy can be extended to various metal split-ring resonator structures.
References
Liou J C, Hsiao Y C, Yang C F. Infrared sensor detection and actuator treatment applied during hemodialysis[J]. Sensors, 2020, 20(9): 2521. 10.3390/s20092521 [Baidu Scholar]
Cheon H, Yang H J, Son J H. Toward clinical cancer imaging using terahertz spectroscopy[J]. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 2017, 23(4): 1-9. 10.1109/jstqe.2017.2704905 [Baidu Scholar]
Jin Z, Peng Y, Fang Y, et al. Photoinduced large polaron transport and dynamics in organic–inorganic hybrid lead halide perovskite with terahertz probes[J]. Light: Science & Applications, 2022, 11(1): 209. 10.1038/s41377-022-00872-y [Baidu Scholar]
Yang J, Qi L M, Wu L Q, et al. Research progress of terahertz metamaterial biosensors[J]. Spectroscopy and Spectral Analysis, 2021, 41(6): 1669-1677. [Baidu Scholar]
Wong C H, Lin L C, Lee H H, et al. The analgesic effect of thermal therapy after total knee arthroplasty[J]. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2012, 18(2): 175-179. 10.1089/acm.2010.0815 [Baidu Scholar]
Leung T K. In vitro and in vivo studies of the biological effects of bioceramic (a material of emitting high performance far-infrared ray) irradiation[J]. Chinese Journal of Physiology, 2015, 58(3): 147-155. 10.4077/cjp.2015.bad294 [Baidu Scholar]
Zhang S, Chen X, Liu K, et al. Nonvolatile reconfigurable terahertz wave modulator[J]. PhotoniX, 2022, 3(1): 1-14. 10.1186/s43074-022-00053-5 [Baidu Scholar]
Barth A, Zscherp C. What vibrations tell about proteins[J]. Quarterly Reviews of Biophysics, 2002, 35(4): 369-430. 10.1017/s0033583502003815 [Baidu Scholar]
Chan W L, Deibel J, Mittleman D M. Imaging with terahertz radiation[J]. Reports on Progress in Physics, 2007, 70(8): 1325. 10.1088/0034-4885/70/8/r02 [Baidu Scholar]
Zhao Y, Yang Y, Sun H B. Nonlinear meta-optics towards applications[J]. PhotoniX, 2021, 2: 1-20. 10.1186/s43074-021-00025-1 [Baidu Scholar]
Shi C J, Wu X, Peng Y. Applications of terahertz imaging technology in tumor detection[J]. Opto-Electronic Engineering, 2020, 47(5): 190638. [Baidu Scholar]
Peng Y, Huang J, Luo J, et al. Three-step one-way model in terahertz biomedical detection[J]. PhotoniX, 2021, 2(1): 1-18. 10.1186/s43074-021-00034-0 [Baidu Scholar]
Cai X, Sushkov A B, Suess R J, et al. Sensitive room-temperature terahertz detection via the photothermoelectric effect in graphene[J]. Nature Nanotechnology, 2014, 9(10): 814-819. 10.1038/nnano.2014.182 [Baidu Scholar]
Falconer R J, Markelz A G. Terahertz spectroscopic analysis of peptides and proteins[J]. Journal of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves, 2012, 33: 973-988. 10.1007/s10762-012-9915-9 [Baidu Scholar]
Gu H, Shi C, Wu X, et al. Molecular methylation detection based on terahertz metamaterial technology[J]. Analyst, 2020, 145(20): 6705-6712. 10.1039/d0an01062f [Baidu Scholar]
Nan J J. Novel surface plasmon resonance nanostructure and its application in biological sensing [D]. Changchun: Jilin University, 2020: 13-22. [Baidu Scholar]
Wang Z L. A review on research progress in surface plasmons[J]. Progress in Physics, 2009, 29(3): 287-324. [Baidu Scholar]
Pal S, Prajapati Y K, Saini J P, et al. Sensitivity enhancement of metamaterial-based surface plasmon resonance biosensor for near infrared[J]. Optica Applicata, 2016, 46(1): 131-143. [Baidu Scholar]
Eleftheriades G V, Siddiqui O, Iyer A K. Transmission line models for negative refractive index media and associated implementations without excess resonators[J]. IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, 2003, 13(2): 51-53. 10.1109/lmwc.2003.808719 [Baidu Scholar]
Yao J, Ou J Y, Savinov V, et al. Plasmonic anapole metamaterial for refractive index sensing[J]. PhotoniX, 2022, 3(1): 23. 10.1186/s43074-022-00069-x [Baidu Scholar]
Liu K, Zhang R, Liu Y, et al. Gold nanoparticle enhanced detection of EGFR with a terahertz metamaterial biosensor[J]. Biomedical Optics Express, 2021, 12(3): 1559-1567. 10.1364/boe.418859 [Baidu Scholar]
Jin Z, Peng Y, Ni Y, et al. Cascaded amplification and manipulation of terahertz emission by flexible spintronic heterostructures[J]. Laser & Photonics Reviews, 2022, 16(9): 2100688. 10.1002/lpor.202100688 [Baidu Scholar]
Yu N, Capasso F. Flat optics with designer metasurfaces[J]. Nature Materials, 2014, 13(2): 139-150. 10.1038/nmat3839 [Baidu Scholar]
Deng X X, Shen Y C, Liu B W, et al. Terahertz metamaterial sensor for sensitive detection of citrate salt solutions[J]. Biosensors, 2022, 12(6): 408. 10.3390/bios12060408 [Baidu Scholar]
Ma J L, Tang J C, Wang K C, et al. A THz-TDS based metamaterial sensor for the sensitive distinguishment of food additives[J]. Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves, 2022, 41(3): 581-588. [Baidu Scholar]
Ding C F. Research on THz metamaterials with high-Q resonance[D]. Tianjin: Tianjin University, 2016: 9-13. [Baidu Scholar]
Xiao M, Lang T, Ren Z, et al. Flexible graphene-based metamaterial sensor for highly sensitive detection of bovine serum albumin[J]. Applied Optics, 2022, 61(35): 10574-10581. 10.1364/ao.476391 [Baidu Scholar]
Ma L, Chen D, Zheng W, et al. Thermally tunable high-Q metamaterial and sensing application based on liquid metals[J]. Optics Express, 2021, 29(4): 6069-6079. 10.1364/oe.418024 [Baidu Scholar]
Wang H C, Chen J, Dong G M, et al. Early rub-impact diagnosis of rotors based on tunable Q-factor wavelet transformation[J]. Journal of Vibration and Shock, 2014, 33(10): 77-80. 10.13465/j.cnki.jvs.2014.10.015 [Baidu Scholar]
Zhou J, Koschny T, Kafesaki M, et al. Saturation of the magnetic response of split-ring resonators at optical frequencies[J]. Physical Review Letters, 2005, 95(22): 223902. 10.1103/physrevlett.95.223902 [Baidu Scholar]
Ding S Y, Yi J, Li J F, et al. Nanostructure-based plasmon-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for surface analysis of materials[J]. Nature Reviews Materials, 2016, 1(6): 1-16. 10.1038/natrevmats.2016.21 [Baidu Scholar]
Yang Y, Kravchenko I I, Briggs D P, et al. All-dielectric metasurface analogue of electromagnetically induced transparency[J]. Nature Communications, 2014, 5(1): 5753. 10.1038/ncomms6753 [Baidu Scholar]
Lyu J M, Shen S Y, Chen L, et al. Frequency selective fingerprint sensor: the Terahertz unity platform for broadband chiral enantiomers multiplexed signals and narrowband molecular AIT enhancement[J]. PhotoniX, 2023, 4(1): 28. 10.1186/s43074-023-00108-1 [Baidu Scholar]
Carletti L, Koshelev K, De Angelis C, et al. Giant nonlinear response at the nanoscale driven by bound states in the continuum[J]. Physical Review Letters, 2018, 121(3): 033903. 10.1103/physrevlett.121.033903 [Baidu Scholar]
Wang R, Xu L, Huang L, et al. Ultrasensitive terahertz biodetection enabled by quasi-BIC-based metasensors[J]. Small, 2023: 2301165. 10.1002/smll.202301165 [Baidu Scholar]
Wang Y, Han Z, Du Y, et al. Ultrasensitive terahertz sensing with high-Q toroidal dipole resonance governed by bound states in the continuum in all-dielectric metasurface[J]. Nanophotonics, 2021, 10(4): 1295-1307. 10.1515/nanoph-2020-0582 [Baidu Scholar]
Okamoto T, Otsuka T, Sato S, et al. Dependence of LC resonance wavelength on size of silver split-ring resonator fabricated by nanosphere lithography[J]. Optics Express, 2012, 20(21): 24059-24067. 10.1364/oe.20.024059 [Baidu Scholar]
Driscoll T, Andreev G O, Basov D N, et al. Tuned permeability in terahertz split-ring resonators for devices and sensors[J]. Applied Physics Letters, 2007, 91(6): 2511. 10.1063/1.2768300 [Baidu Scholar]
Baena J D, Bonache J, Martin F, et al. Equivalent-circuit models for split-ring resonators and complementary split-ring resonators coupled to planar transmission lines[J]. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2005, 53(4): 1451-1461. 10.1109/tmtt.2005.845211 [Baidu Scholar]
Corrigan T D, Kolb P W, Sushkov A B, et al. Optical plasmonic resonances in split-ring resonator structures: An improved LC model[J]. Optics Express, 2008, 16(24): 19850-19864. 10.1364/oe.16.019850 [Baidu Scholar]
Asgari S, Fabritius T. Graphene-based multiband chiral metamaterial absorbers comprised of square split-ring resonator arrays with different numbers of gaps, and their equivalent circuit model[J]. IEEE Access, 2022, 10: 63658-63671. 10.1109/access.2022.3183272 [Baidu Scholar]
Xiong Z, Shang L, Yang J, et al. Terahertz sensor with resonance enhancement based on square split-ring resonators[J]. IEEE Access, 2021, 9: 59211-59221. 10.1109/access.2021.3073043 [Baidu Scholar]
Liu B, Peng Y, Jin Z, et al. Terahertz ultrasensitive biosensor based on wide-area and intense light-matter interaction supported by QBIC[J]. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2023, 462: 142347. 10.1016/j.cej.2023.142347 [Baidu Scholar]