Aerosol Jet Printed Quasi-Optical Terahertz Components

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of aerosol jet printed quasi-optical components for operation in the terahertz (THz) spectral range. Performance of each of these components is compared to their counterpart fabricated by a lithographic process. Two band-stop filters, one designed for operation at 250 GHz and another at 550 GHz, as well as a bandpass filter for operation at 250 GHz, are designed and characterized. Additionally, polarizing screens are presented, demonstrating high-resolution capabilities of the aerosol printing technique. Enhancement of the printed structures by means of an electroless metal plating process is demonstrated using an aerosol jet printed seed layer.