Terahertz plasmonic waveguides created via 3D printing

摘要: We demonstrate that 3D printing, commonly associated with the manufacture of large objects, allows for fabrication high quality terahertz (THz) plasmonic structures. Using a commercial printer, we print variety structures include abrupt out-of-plane bends and continuously varying bends. The waveguides are initially printed in polymer resin then sputter deposited ~500 nm Au. This thickness Au is sufficient to support low loss propagation surface plasmon-polaritons minimal impact from underlying layer, thereby demonstrating useful approach fabricating broad range incorporate complex geometries. THz time-domain spectroscopy, measure guided-wave properties these devices. find modes similar those obtained conventional metal-based waveguides, albeit slightly higher loss. additional attributed roughness limitations currently exist printers.