Exciting circular TEmn modes at low terahertz region

Abstract

This work proposes an approach to generate circular TEmn modes at low terahertz region through sidewall couplings. With proper arrangement of the couplings on the circumference of the waveguide, they then jointly excite the desired mode. A model is developed to calculate the coupling strength and to analyze the mode purity. Accordingly, three mode converters TE21, TE01, and TE41, were designed, built, and tested at W-band. Back-to-back transmission measurements exhibit excellent agreement with the results of simulations. The measured optimal transmissions are 91%, 95%, and 89% with 3 dB bandwidths of 18.3, 24.0, and 20.2 GHz, respectively.