Periodic structure towards the terahertz region manufactured using high resolution 3D printing

Periodic structures used for high power millimetre and sub-millimetre sources that implement relativistic beam - wave interactions have historically involved the implantation of a dielectric layer around the inner wall of the interaction region or a periodic corrugated structure that serves to reduce the velocity of an internal electromagnetic wave. Moving towards the THz regime, the physical dimensions required to manufacture such a cavity become prohibitively difficult. Ongoing attempts to develop manufacturing processes that provide higher resolution have resulted in a number of viable techniques. Additive Manufacturing or 3D printing offers the possibility of producing components on this scale quickly and efficiently. Here 0.1, 0.4 and 1 THz periodic structures are realised using high resolution (16 micron) 3D printing technology.