Coupling terahertz radiation between sub-wavelength metal-metal waveguides and free space using monolithically integrated horn antennae

Opt Express. 2009 Sep 28;17(20):18387-93. doi: 10.1364/OE.17.018387.

Abstract

Broadband horn antennae are presented that efficiently couple terahertz radiation between sub-wavelength metal-metal waveguides and free space. Sub-picosecond terahertz pulses were coupled into and out from sub-wavelength parallel-plate waveguides by using the horn antennae in a terahertz time-domain spectrometer. Monolithic antennae were fabricated at the facets of metal-metal terahertz quantum cascade lasers, and laser action was observed for devices emitting at 1.4 THz, 2.3 THz and 3.2 THz. A good far-field laser radiation pattern (FWHM less than 11 degrees) is obtained as a result of the significant expansion of the optical mode by the antenna.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Light
  • Metals / chemistry*
  • Refractometry / instrumentation*
  • Refractometry / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Terahertz Radiation
  • Terahertz Spectroscopy / instrumentation*
  • Terahertz Spectroscopy / methods*

Substances

  • Metals