Research overview
This paper presents a fast, low-cost way to make large freestanding terahertz wire-grid polarizers by cutting fine metal grids from thin foil with a nanosecond pulsed laser. Unlike conventional methods, it needs no clean room or lithography. A small grid can be cut in about 15 seconds, and large devices in one to two minutes, from several metals including aluminium foil. The polarizers were characterised with terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and compared with numerical simulations. The authors also discuss tungsten and copper as more durable alternatives.
Key findings
- Freestanding THz wire-grid polarizers made by nanosecond laser micromachining of metal foil
- No clean room or lithography required
- Small grids cut in about 15 seconds; large-area devices in one to two minutes
- Characterised by THz time-domain spectroscopy and compared with simulations
