Evanescent Wave Coupling in Terahertz Waveguide Arrays

[摘要] At optical frequencies, evanescent wave coupling in waveguides is an important concept underlying key technologies such as optical fiber splitters and combiners. At terahertz (THz) frequencies, there is a lack of such devices. In order to fill this gap, we investigate evanescent wave coupling at THz frequencies in an array of narrow-width parallel-plate waveguides (PPWGs). Although researchers have studied THz wave coupling between two adjacent wire waveguides, evanescent coupling in an array of PPWGs has not previously been considered. Metal PPWGs are ideal THz waveguide platforms since they offer low losses and negligible dispersion in the TEM waveguide mode. Additionally, PPWGs can exhibit energy leakage when the plates are narrow and the plate separation is large, indicating that an array of narrow-width PPWGs is a convenient platform for studying THz energy coupling between waveguides.By using the presented design of an array of identical narrow-width PPWGs in close proximity with their unconfined sides facing each other, we have demonstrated evidence of evanescent wave coupling in THz PPWG arrays. Thereby, we observed stronger coupling with larger waveguide plate separations and longer propagation paths. We confirmed these results through THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) experiments and finite-element method (FEM) simulations. Based on evanescent wave coupling, this work establishes a platform to investigate new opportunities for THz waveguide devices and components such as splitters and power combiners.

[发布机构] Rice University

[效力级别] Waveguides