Open AccessLow-index discontinuity terahertz waveguides
Author(s) -
M. Nagel,
Astrid Marchewka,
H. Kurz
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.14.009944
Subject(s) - terahertz radiation , optics , waveguide , total internal reflection , dielectric , discontinuity (linguistics) , materials science , refractive index , photonic crystal , electric field , attenuation , reflection coefficient , terahertz spectroscopy and technology , optoelectronics , physics , mathematical analysis , mathematics , quantum mechanics
A new type of dielectric THz waveguide based on recent approaches in the field of integrated optics is presented with theoretical and experimental results. Although the guiding mechanism of the low-index discontinuity (LID) THz waveguide is total internal reflection, the THz wave is predominantly confined in the virtually lossless low-index air gap within a high-index dielectric waveguide due to the continuity of electric flux density at the dielectric interface. Attenuation, dispersion and single-mode confinement properties of two LID structures are discussed and compared with other THz waveguide solutions. The new approach provides an outstanding combination of high mode confinement and low transmission losses currently not realizable with any other metal-based or photonic crystal approach. These exceptional properties might enable the breakthrough of novel integrated THz systems or endoscopy applications with sub-wavelength resolution.