Design of liquid crystal terahertz wave phase shifter using rectangular waveguide/NRD waveguide transition and its characterization

Abstract

To realize ultra-high-speed terahertz (THz) wave wireless communication, it is required to realize a THz wave phase shifter used for such as a phased array antenna. Since liquid-crystals (LCs) have a large dielectric anisotropy even in the THz wave region, the LC-based THz wave applications are drawing attention. Different from light, the THz waves have longer wavelength, which cause a large amount of leaky wave and diffraction wave when radiating into free space. THz waves are generally carried using a rectangular waveguide (RWG), but tiny dimensions make it difficult to apply to integrated circuits. In this research, we design a LC THz wave variable phase shifter with a simple RWG/ NRD waveguide transition and evaluate its characteristics.