Comparison of birefringent electric split-ring resonator and meanderline structures as quarter-wave plates at terahertz frequencies

Opt Express. 2009 Jan 5;17(1):136-49. doi: 10.1364/oe.17.000136.

Abstract

We have fabricated a quarter-wave plate from a single layer of birefringent electric split-ring resonators (ELC). For comparison, an appropriately scaled double layer meanderline structure was fabricated. At the design frequency of 639 GHz, the ELC structure achieves 99.9% circular polarization while the meanderline achieves 99.6%. The me-anderline displays a larger bandwidth of operation, attaining over 99% circular polarization from 615 - 743 GHz, while the ELC achieves 99% from 626 - 660 GHz. However, both are broad enough for use with CW sources making ELCs a more attractive choice due to the ease of fabrication. Both samples are free standing with a total thickness of 70 microm for the meanderline structure and a mere 20 microm for the ELC highlighting the large degree of birefringence exhibited with metamaterial structures.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acoustics
  • Birefringence*
  • Crystallization
  • Electricity
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Equipment Design
  • Materials Testing / instrumentation
  • Materials Testing / methods*
  • Microscopy
  • Radiation
  • Semiconductors
  • Spectrophotometry, Infrared