Paraffin Diffractive Lens for Subterahertz Range—Simple and Cost Efficient Solution

Abstract

Novel optical materials and manufacturing methods are especially important in the fast growing terahertz (THz) market, where new solutions for shaping and redirecting of radiation are widely investigated. An innovative method of manufacturing refractive and diffractive optical elements (DOEs) for THz spectral range using commercially available and cost-effective devices and materials is presented. The 3D-printing method is used to produce molds, which are then filled with paraffin. The optical elements obtained with this method outperform many commercial ones, especially in higher frequencies. Moreover, a different diffractive element design (as kinoforms of higher order) is proposed to match the resolution limitations of 3-D printing.