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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
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Terahertz Photonics Utilising Photonic Crystals Exhibiting Fano Resonances and Photonic Band Gaps

Authors

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Term

4. term

Publication year

2022

Submitted on

Pages

176

Abstract

This project develops and studies terahertz photonic components: spectrally selective reflectors based on Fano resonances and waveguides that use photonic crystals. Terahertz is part of the electromagnetic spectrum; here we target the lower end of this range. To design structures with the desired spectral response, three computational models are used: the plane wave expansion, the Fourier modal method, and an iterative method based on the fast Fourier transform (FFT). Samples are fabricated with widely available processes—reactive ion etching and laser ablation—and characterized using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. For the Fano-resonant reflectors (sharp, asymmetric resonance features caused by interference), the measured spectra agree well with predictions from the Fourier modal method. An additional resonance model is also developed and shows good agreement with the Fourier modal method. Photonic crystals are made by creating air holes or silicon rods in high-resistivity silicon, arranged in both hexagonal and square lattices. Both configurations exhibit band gaps in the lower terahertz range. In a hexagonal lattice of air holes we observe solid-core waveguide modes, and in a hexagonal lattice of silicon rods we observe cavity modes. Overall, the work shows that accessible fabrication methods can produce terahertz components with predictable behavior.

Dette projekt udvikler og undersøger terahertz-fotoniske komponenter: spektralt selektive reflektorer baseret på Fano-resonanser og bølgeledere, der udnytter fotoniske krystaller. Terahertz er en del af det elektromagnetiske spektrum; her fokuseres på den lave ende af området. For at designe strukturerne bruges tre beregningsmodeller, som forudsiger deres spektrale respons: planbølgeekspansion, Fourier-modalmetoden og en iterativ metode baseret på hurtig Fourier-transformation (FFT). Prøverne fremstilles med almindeligt tilgængelige proces-teknikker, reaktiv ionætsning og laserablation, og de karakteriseres med terahertz tidsdomænespektroskopi. For reflektorerne med Fano-resonanser (skarpe, asymmetriske resonanstoppe skabt af interferens) stemmer de målte spektra overens med forudsigelser fra Fourier-modalmetoden. Der udvikles desuden en supplerende resonansmodel, som ligeledes viser god overensstemmelse med Fourier-modalmetoden. Fotoniske krystaller fremstilles ved at lave luft-huller eller siliciumstænger i høj-resistivt silicium og arrangeres i både hexagonale og kvadratiske gitre. Begge geometrier udviser båndgab i den lave ende af terahertz-området. I et hexagonalt gitter af lufthuller observeres bølgeledertilstande med massiv kerne, og i et hexagonalt gitter af siliciumstænger observeres kavitetstilstande. Samlet set viser arbejdet, at man med tilgængelige fabrikeringsmetoder kan lave terahertz-komponenter med forudsigelig opførsel.

[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]