THz ribbon waveguides using polymer-ceramic nanocomposites

Thin dielectric ribbon waveguides made from polymer-ceramic nanocomposites for the fabrication of planar, low-loss and large area compatible terahertz (THz) waveguide is presented. Such a waveguide provides low propagation loss as compared to other waveguide structures (e.g., microstrip) at high frequencies. Two fabrication approaches are studied: i) photopatterning of nanocomposites, ii) laser engraving of dry nanocomposite films. Polymer ceramic nanocomposites are characterized over a wide band in the THz spectral region. The nanocomposite thin-film layer is used as the core material and it is surrounded by a low-loss low-dielectric constant cladding polymer layer. Simulation and measured results of straight and curved transmission lines demonstrate that integrated THz circuits can be realized at the wafer-level using polymer ceramic nanocomposites ribbon waveguides.