Metamaterials with analogous electromagnetically induced transparency and related sensor designs — a review

Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) originates from quantum physics, where a narrow transparent peak appears in the opaque band due to the destructive interference between quantum states of atoms and molecules. Similar phenomena can be realized based on strong-coupling resonators with a similar spectrum of transmission peaks and abrupt dispersion variations. These classical systems, ranging from elastic to optical, are named analogs of EIT. The sharp resonant peaks with high-quality factors in the spectrum exhibit powerful potentials in sensors with ultrahigh sensitivity. In order to better understand the development history of EIT-like metamaterials and their specific applications in the field of sensors, this article makes a brief review of the EIT-like phenomenon in metamaterials. First, we conduct the universal mathematical formulation based on the coupling oscillator model. Then, we classify specific metamaterial designs and practical applications of EIT-like devices in acoustic, electromagnetic, and optical waves, respectively. We also summarize the recent technologies of dynamic modulations of EIT-like metamaterials and discuss future research directions.Published versionThis work was supported in part by the Dalian Youth Science and Technology Star Project under Grant 2022RQ034, in part by the State Key Laboratory of Millimeter Waves under Grant K202202, in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 62101090, and in part by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation under Grant 2021M700656