Terahertz optical properties of metamaterials and optical components fabricated using polymer-based additive manufacturing

Advancement in terahertz technologies have drawn interests in optical components suitable for the terahertz spectral range. Stereolithography, with its superior resolution, could be an efficient way of fabricating such terahertz elements with sub-wavelength scale architectures. However, stereolithographically fabricated terahertz optical elements or metamaterials have not yet been studied extensively. In this thesis, we sought to explore the terahertz optical properties of stereolithographically fabricated optics and novel metamaterials. Terahertz optical properties of materials commonly available for stereolithography have been accurately determined. Utilizing the determined properties, one-dimensional terahertz photonic crystals and defect modes within such crystals have been demonstrated for the first time through a single-step stereolithography from a single dielectric material. Mechanical tunability of the photonic bandgap and defect modes of the photonic crystals was experimentally realized. In addition, stereolithographically fabricated anisotropic metamaterial composed of slanted columnar structures have been investigated as a single layer, as well as constituent layers of one-dimensional photonic crystal structures for the first time. Off-axis parabolic reflectors have been demonstrated by metalizing a stereolithographically fabricated polymer base and by employing one-dimensional photonic crystal structure into design. In conclusion, stereolithography has been introduced as a new paradigm for fabrication of custom terahertz elements and novel metamaterials with tailored optical properties.