Characteristic evaluation of the NRD waveguide type terahertz variable phase shifter using aligned nanofiber/nematic liquid crystal complex

Abstract

Liquid crystals (LC), which have large anisotropy even in the terahertz region and excellent response to an external electric field, are expected to be applied to terahertz devices. On the other hand, nanofibers (NF) are known to be able to easily orient LC molecules because of their properties such as tiny diameter and large surface area per unit mass. By using NF/LC complex, a terahertz variable phase shifter can be realized. In this study, we clarify and evaluate the characteristics of the NRD waveguide type terahertz variable phase shifter using aligned NF/ nematic liquid crystal (NLC) complex.