Comparative Study of Sub-THz FSS Filters Fabricated by Inkjet Printing, Microprecision Material Printing, and Photolithography

This paper reports a comparative study of sub-THz frequency-selective surface (FSS) filter performance in relation to its method of fabrication. Three techniques are considered: conventional inkjet printing, microprecision inkjet printing, and photolithography. The complete design process is presented highlighting steps from substrate selection through to electromagnetic modeling and finally broadband THz filter characterization. Electromagnetic modeling is performed using the CST full-wave frequency-domain solver. Experimental characterization of substrate material, ink, and final FSS designs is done both by THz time-domain spectrometry and quasi-optically at WR-10 and WR-3 waveguide bands using PNA-X vector network analyzer. The center frequencies for bandpass FSS filters are 100 and 300 GHz, which enables prospective utilization in a quasi-optical multiplier system.