Porous polymer fibers for low-loss Terahertz guiding.
TL;DR: Two designs of effectively single mode porous polymer fibers for low-loss guiding of terahertz radiation are proposed and suggested porous fibers outperform considerably the rod-in-the-air fiber designs.
Abstract: We propose two designs of effectively single mode porous polymer fibers for low-loss guiding of terahertz radiation. First, we present a fiber of several wavelengths in diameter containing an array of sub-wavelength holes separated by sub-wavelength material veins. Second, we detail a large diameter hollow core photonic bandgap Bragg fiber made of solid film layers suspended in air by a network of circular bridges. Numerical simulations of radiation, absorption and bending losses are presented; strategies for the experimental realization of both fibers are suggested. Emphasis is put on the optimization of the fiber geometries to increase the fraction of power guided in the air inside of the fiber, thereby alleviating the effects of material absorption and interaction with the environment. Total fiber loss of less than 10 dB/m, bending radii as tight as 3 cm, and fiber bandwidth of ~1 THz is predicted for the porous fibers with sub-wavelength holes. Performance of this fiber type is also compared to that of the equivalent sub-wavelength rod-in-the-air fiber with a conclusion that suggested porous fibers outperform considerably the rod-in-the-air fiber designs. For the porous Bragg fibers total loss of less than 5 dB/m, bending radii as tight as 12 cm, and fiber bandwidth of ~0.1 THz are predicted. Coupling to the surface states of a multilayer reflector facilitated by the material bridges is determined as primary mechanism responsible for the reduction of the bandwidth of a porous Bragg fiber. In all the simulations, polymer fiber material is assumed to be Teflon with bulk absorption loss of 130 dB/m.
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TL;DR: Near-field, frequency-resolved characterization with high spatial resolution of the amplitude and phase of the modal structure proves that the fiber is single-moded over a wide frequency range, and the authors see the onset of higher-order modes at high frequencies as well as indication of microporous guiding at low frequencies and high porosity of the fiber.
Abstract: We report on a new class of polymer photonic crystal fibers for low-loss guidance of THz radiation. The use of the cyclic olefin copolymer Topas, in combination with advanced fabrication technology, results in bendable THz fibers with unprecedented low loss and low material dispersion in the THz regime.We demonstrate experimentally how the dispersion may be engineered by fabricating both high- and low-dispersion fibers with zero-dispersion frequency in the regime 0.5-0.6 THz. Near-field, frequencyresolved characterization with high spatial resolution of the amplitude and phase of the modal structure proves that the fiber is single-moded over a wide frequency range, and we see the onset of higher-order modes at high frequencies as well as indication of microporous guiding at low frequencies and high porosity of the fiber. Transmission spectroscopy demonstrates low-loss propagation (< 0.1 dB/cm loss at 0.6 THz) over a wide frequency range.
417 citations
Patent•
AT&T1
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a system that receives, by a feed point of a dielectric antenna, electromagnetic waves from a core coupled to the feed point without an electrical return path, and radiates a wireless signal responsive to the electromagnetic waves being received at the aperture.
Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a feed point of a dielectric antenna, electromagnetic waves from a dielectric core coupled to the feed point without an electrical return path, where at least a portion of the dielectric antenna comprises a conductive surface, directing, by the feed point, the electromagnetic waves to a proximal portion of the dielectric antenna, and radiating, via an aperture of the dielectric antenna, a wireless signal responsive to the electromagnetic waves being received at the aperture. Other embodiments are disclosed.
330 citations
Patent•
AT&T1
TL;DR: In this paper, a distributed antenna and backhaul system provide network connectivity for a small cell deployment using high-bandwidth, millimeter-wave communications and existing power line infrastructure, rather than building new structures, and installing additional fiber and cable.
Abstract: A distributed antenna and backhaul system provide network connectivity for a small cell deployment. Rather than building new structures, and installing additional fiber and cable, embodiments described herein disclose using high-bandwidth, millimeter-wave communications and existing power line infrastructure. Above ground backhaul connections via power lines and line-of-sight millimeter-wave band signals as well as underground backhaul connections via buried electrical conduits can provide connectivity to the distributed base stations. An overhead millimeter-wave system can also be used to provide backhaul connectivity. Modules can be placed onto existing infrastructure, such as streetlights and utility poles, and the modules can contain base stations and antennas to transmit the millimeter-waves to and from other modules.
298 citations
Patent•
AT&T1
TL;DR: In this article, a distributed antenna system is provided that frequency shifts the output of one or more microcells to a 60 GHz or higher frequency range for transmission to a set of distributed antennas.
Abstract: A distributed antenna system is provided that frequency shifts the output of one or more microcells to a 60 GHz or higher frequency range for transmission to a set of distributed antennas. The cellular band outputs of these microcell base station devices are used to modulate a 60 GHz (or higher) carrier wave, yielding a group of subcarriers on the 60 GHz carrier wave. This group will then be transmitted in the air via analog microwave RF unit, after which it can be repeated or radiated to the surrounding area. The repeaters amplify the signal and resend it on the air again toward the next repeater. In places where a microcell is required, the 60 GHz signal is shifted in frequency back to its original frequency (e.g., the 1.9 GHz cellular band) and radiated locally to nearby mobile devices.
296 citations
Patent•
AT&T1
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe a device that facilitates transmitting electromagnetic waves along a surface of a wire that facilitates delivery of electric energy to devices, and sensing a condition that is adverse to the electromagnetic waves propagating along the surface of the wire.
Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that facilitates transmitting electromagnetic waves along a surface of a wire that facilitates delivery of electric energy to devices, and sensing a condition that is adverse to the electromagnetic waves propagating along the surface of the wire. Other embodiments are disclosed.
288 citations
References
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TL;DR: A novel basic technology for terahertz imaging is developed, which allows detection and identification of drugs concealed in envelopes, by introducing the component spatial pattern analysis.
Abstract: The absence of non-destructive inspection techniques for illicit drugs hidden in mail envelopes has resulted in such drugs being smuggled across international borders freely. We have developed a novel basic technology for terahertz imaging, which allows detection and identification of drugs concealed in envelopes, by introducing the component spatial pattern analysis. The spatial distributions of the targets are obtained from terahertz multispectral transillumination images, using absorption spectra measured with a tunable terahertz-wave source. The samples we used were methamphetamine and MDMA, two of the most widely consumed illegal drugs in Japan, and aspirin as a reference.
1,309 citations
TL;DR: It is shown how a simple waveguide, namely a bare metal wire, can be used to transport terahertz pulses with virtually no dispersion, low attenuation, and with remarkable structural simplicity.
Abstract: Sources and systems for far-infrared or terahertz (1 THz = 10(12) Hz) radiation have received extensive attention in recent years, with applications in sensing, imaging and spectroscopy. Terahertz radiation bridges the gap between the microwave and optical regimes, and offers significant scientific and technological potential in many fields. However, waveguiding in this intermediate spectral region still remains a challenge. Neither conventional metal waveguides for microwave radiation, nor dielectric fibres for visible and near-infrared radiation can be used to guide terahertz waves over a long distance, owing to the high loss from the finite conductivity of metals or the high absorption coefficient of dielectric materials in this spectral range. Furthermore, the extensive use of broadband pulses in the terahertz regime imposes an additional constraint of low dispersion, which is necessary for compatibility with spectroscopic applications. Here we show how a simple waveguide, namely a bare metal wire, can be used to transport terahertz pulses with virtually no dispersion, low attenuation, and with remarkable structural simplicity. As an example of this new waveguiding structure, we demonstrate an endoscope for terahertz pulses.
1,047 citations
TL;DR: A comprehensive review of the various techniques used for terahertz image formation can be found in this paper, as well as numerous examples which illustrate the many exciting potential uses for these emerging technologies.
Abstract: Within the last several years, the field of terahertz science and technology has changed dramatically. Many new advances in the technology for generation, manipulation, and detection of terahertz radiation have revolutionized the field. Much of this interest has been inspired by the promise of valuable new applications for terahertz imaging and sensing. Among a long list of proposed uses, one finds compelling needs such as security screening and quality control, as well as whimsical notions such as counting the almonds in a bar of chocolate. This list has grown in parallel with the development of new technologies and new paradigms for imaging and sensing. Many of these proposed applications exploit the unique capabilities of terahertz radiation to penetrate common packaging materials and provide spectroscopic information about the materials within. Several of the techniques used for terahertz imaging have been borrowed from other, more well established fields such as x-ray computed tomography and synthetic aperture radar. Others have been developed exclusively for the terahertz field, and have no analogies in other portions of the spectrum. This review provides a comprehensive description of the various techniques which have been employed for terahertz image formation, as well as discussing numerous examples which illustrate the many exciting potential uses for these emerging technologies.
962 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a promising approach for the label-free analysis of DNA molecules using direct probing of the binding state of DNA with electromagnetic waves at THz frequencies is reported, which provides a drastically enhanced sensitivity enabling analysis down to femtomol levels.
Abstract: We report on a promising approach for the label-free analysis of DNA molecules using direct probing of the binding state of DNA with electromagnetic waves at THz frequencies. Passive THz resonator devices based on planar waveguides are used as sample carriers and transducers for THz transmission analysis. In comparison to a formerly used free-space detection scheme, this method provides a drastically enhanced sensitivity enabling analysis down to femtomol levels. We examine the potential of our approach on biologically relevant DNA samples and demonstrate the detection of single base mutations on DNA molecules.
521 citations
TL;DR: The light-propagation characteristics of OmniGuide fibers, which guide light by concentric multi-layer dielectric mirrors having the property of omnidirectional reflection, are presented, promising that the properties of silica fibers may be surpassed even when nominally poor materials are employed.
Abstract: We present the light-propagation characteristics of OmniGuide fibers, which guide light by concentric multi-layer dielectric mirrors having the property of omnidirectional reflection. We show how the lowest-loss TE01 mode can propagate in a single-mode fashion through even large-core fibers, with other modes eliminated asymptotically by their higher losses and poor coupling, analogous to hollow metallic microwave waveguides. Dispersion, radiation leakage, material absorption, nonlinearities, bending, acircularity, and interface roughness are considered with the help of leaky modes and perturbation theory, and both numerical results and general scaling relations are presented. We show that cladding properties such as absorption and nonlinearity are suppressed by many orders of magnitude due to the strong confinement in a hollow core, and other imperfections are tolerable, promising that the properties of silica fibers may be surpassed even when nominally poor materials are employed.
396 citations