Terahertz spoof surface plasmon polariton gradient index lens

Abstract

Plasmonics takes advantage of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), which have the characteristics of strong subwavelength field confinement and enhancement. Plasmonic devices that confine light in regions with dimensions that are smaller than the wavelength have important application prospects in on-chip integrated circuits. Nonetheless, at terahertz frequencies, the weak confinement of SPPs and immature near-field technology hinder the development of related devices. Here, a highly confined SPP mode (spoof SPP) is implemented by structuring metal surfaces. Gradient index lenses with variable indices are constructed by fine-tuning the size of the pillars, and the characteristics of several different lenses are examined and explored by scanning near-field terahertz microscopy. Thus, terahertz waves are regulated and more possibilities are provided for further miniaturization and compactness of THz devices.