Investigation on spectral loss characteristics of subwavelength terahertz fibers

By measuring the spectral loss characteristics of subwavelength-diameter terahertz fibers, our study supports the recent theory proposed by M. Sumetsky [Opt. Lett. 31, 870 (2006)] that diameter-variation-induced radiation is a dominant loss mechanism for subwavelength fibers in the low- (<1%) core-fraction-power regime. This physical mechanism limits the lowest guidable frequency in a subwavelength fiber.