Toroidal metamaterials in biology and medicine

Maria V. Cojokari,
Alexey A. Basharin,
The lab of superconducting metamaterials,
The National University of Science and Technology "MISiS
Abstract
We demonstrate the promising abilities of toroidal metamaterials as platform for THz and optical sensing of biological object and applications in
medicine. Due to extremely strong electric/magnetic fields localization in elements of metamaterials (metamolecules), such configuration allow us
to observe very narrow spectral lines in THz and optics. Thus, toroidal metamaterials are interesting for high- sensing of fingertips of many
biological objects, the spectra of which are located in THz and optics.

Toroidal response
Toroidal dipole is a peculiar elementary current excitation
corresponding to electrical currents circulating on a surface of
a gedanken torus along its meridians (so-called poloidal
currents).

Planar metamaterials with toroidal response and extremely high Qfactorconsisting

and sensitivity
Magnetic [1]
type metamolecule is the inverted and rotated variant of the
Electric type metamolecules are planar conductive structures
of two symmetric split loops. The incident plane wave excites circular
currents j along the loops lead to a circulating magnetic moment and, as
a result, to a toroidal moment T. Two side gaps also support a magnetic
quadrupole moment Qm. Moreover, due to the central gap electric
moment P can be exited in metamolecule. At the same time,
destructive/constructive interference between T, Qm and P gives us
unique effect as very strong E- field localization inside central gap. We
note that this allows us to achieve extremely high Q-factors of such type
of metamaterial at the frequency of simultaneous excitation of these
moments.

first structure. In contrast to the first case, here we expect very strong
localization of magnetic field instead electric field. The magnetic field

lines are whirling around the central junction of the metamolecule due to
interference between toroidal T and magnetic quadrupole moment.
Importantly, this configuration allows us to reduce electric moment P.
Hence, we observe very strong magnetic field localization. This
localization is associated with a very narrow and pronounced transmission
dip where the corresponding transmission response, both theoretical and
HQ-factor is ~
experimental, is demonstrated. The measured internal
T
57000 at room temperature
20

20

Theory
Experiment

10

10
0

-10

-20

-30
-40
-50

If we add some molecules the

frequency of the peak moves to
the metamolecules own
frequency

-60
-70
-80

E/E0 = 19160

Transmission, dB

Transmission, dB

-10

-90

Theory
Experiment

10

11

-20
-30
-40
-50
-60
-70
-80
-90

12

Frequency, GHz

H/H0 = 15870

Frequency, GHz

Toroidal metamaterials from microwave to optics

Application in biology and medicine

sensing
fluorescent
enhancement
Super-resolution

Enhancement of magnetic properties

Sensing of magnetic particles

Evanescent light-matter interaction with

toroidal metamaterials[3]

Magnetoimpedance gradiometer with toroidal

metamaterial as sensor of the heart and brain magnetic
activity [4]

References
[1] Alexey A. Basharin, Vitaliy Chuguevskiy, Nikita Volsky, Maria Kafesaki, Eleftherios N. Economou, Alexey V. Ustinov, Extremely high Q-factor toroidal
metamaterials, 10th International Congress on Advanced Electromagnetic Materials in Microwaves and Optics Metamaterials 2016, Crete, Greece,
arXiv:1605.08779
[2] N. Papasimakis, V. A. Fedotov, V. Savinov, T. A. Raybould & N. I. Zheludev, Electromagnetic toroidal excitations in matter and free space, Nature Materials
15, 263271 (2016)
[3] A. Karabchevsky and A. V. Kavokin, Sci Rep 6:21201 (2016).