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Designing and simulating THz wire waveguides using FEM modeling
Aug 1, 2006 12:00 PM  By Jason A. Deibel and Daniel M. Mittleman

The least-explored region of the electromagnetic spectrum consists of teraHertz (THz) waves, which at 100 GHz to 10 THz fall between millimeter waves and the infrared light. Recently, researchers began the development of suitable wave-guides for the commercialization of T-ray technology. This article outlines the requirments for effective THz waveguides, explains a solution to this engineering dilemma, and shows how finite element method (FEM) modeling is being used to develop an effective and efficient THz waveguide system.
Conclusion

The development of the THz wire waveguide was a crucial enabling step in the effort to realize “real world” applications of THz technology. A more efficient and robust method of coupling THz pulses to the waveguide was required. A photoconductive THz antenna with radial symmetry was designed and evaluated using finite element method modeling software. Successful testing of the novel radial antennas show that FEM modeling is a powerful tool for studying various engineering and physics issues associated with the development of THz technology.

References

  1. D. Mittleman, ed., “Sensing with Terahertz Radiation,” 2002, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag.

  2. G. Gallot, et al., “Terahertz Waveguides,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. B, 2000. 17: pps. 851-863.

  3. K. Wang and D.M. Mittleman, “Metal Wires for Terahertz Waveguiding,” Nature, 2004. 432: pps. 376-379.

  4. J.A. Deibel, M.D. Escarra, and D.M. Mittleman, “Photoconductive Terahertz Antenna with Radial Symmetry,” Elect. Ltrs., 2005. 41(5): pps. 226-228.

  5. J.A. Deibel, et al., “Enhanced Coupling of Terahertz Radiation to Cylindrical Wire Waveguides,” Opt. Express, 2006. 14: pps. 279-290.

  6. P. Schreier, “COMSOL Multiphysics Helps Explore the Last Frontier in the Electromagnetic Spectrum,” COMSOL News. 2006.

About the Authors

Jason Deibel is a post-doctoral research associate in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rice University, Houston, Texas. He received a B.A. in physics and mathematics from Transylvania University and a Ph.D. in applied physics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. He can be reached at jdeibel@rice.edu.

Daniel Mittleman is an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rice University, Houston, Texas. He received a B.S. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a M.S. and Ph.D. in physics from the University of California, Berkeley, Calif. He can be reached at daniel@rice.edu.

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