Terahertz frequency bandpass filters

Abstract

The design, measurement, and analysis of a range of artificial materials for use at terahertz frequencies are described. The chosen structures consist of arrays of cylindrical gold-plated pillars with period comparable to the wavelength of incident radiation. An ultraviolet (UV) micromachining approach to the fabrication of these high aspect-ratio pillars is described using the negative epoxy-based resin SU8. Lattice fence structures are also realized using the same method. Terahertz (THz) frequency time domain spectroscopy is performed on these structures in the range 200 GHz to 3.0 THz and the relative transmission of the structures is determined. The pass and stop bands are observed with peak transmission of up to 97%. Finite difference time domain simulations and complex photonic band structure calculations are shown to provide good descriptions of the electromagnetic properties of the structures and are used to interpret the observed transmission spectra.