Free-standing double-layer terahertz band-pass filters fabricated by femtosecond laser micro-machining

We report on the fabrication and transmission properties of free-standing single-layer and double-layer THz bandpass filters. These filters are fabricated on aluminum foils using femtosecond laser micro-machining. The aluminum foils are periodically patterned with cross apertures with a total area of 1.75x1.75 cm(2), also known as frequency-selective surfaces. Their terahertz transmission properties were simulated using the FDTD method and measured using a time-domain terahertz spectroscopy system. The simulation results agree with the measurements results very well. The performance of single-layer bandpass filters is as good as the commercial equivalents on the market. The double-layer filters show extraordinary transmission peaks with changing spacing between the two layers. We show the contour map of the electric field distribution across the apertures, and ascribe the new transmission peaks to the interference and coupling of surface plasmon polaritons between the two layers. (C) 2017 Optical Society of America