Materials science

Optoelectronics

Physics

Beam steering

Optics

Computer hardware

Terahertz radiation

Beam (structure)

Computer science

Digital signal processing

Signal processing

Science Advances

Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) play an essential role in various applications, such as next-generation communication, uncrewed vehicles, and vital sign recognizers. However, in the terahertz (THz) region, the development of RISs is limited because of lacking tunable phase shifters and low-cost sensors. Here, we developed an integrated self-adaptive metasurface (SAM) with THz wave detection and modulation capabilities based on the phase change material. By applying various coding sequences, the metasurface could deflect THz beams over an angle range of 42.8°. We established a software-defined sensing reaction system for intelligent THz wave manipulation. In the system, the SAM self-adaptively adjusted the THz beam deflection angle and stabilized the reflected power in response to the detected signal without human intervention, showing vast potential in eliminating coverage dead zones and other applications in THz communication. Our programmable controlled SAM creates a platform for intelligent electromagnetic information processing in the THz regime.

Electrically addressable integrated intelligent terahertz metasurface