THz Sommerfeld wave propagation on a single metal wire

Abstract

We report an experimental and theoretical study of THz Sommerfeld wave propagation on a single copper wire. THz pulses are optoelectronically generated and launched onto 0.52-mm-diam copper wire, and the guided THz pulses are detected at the end of the wire by a standard photoconductive antenna. Very low attenuation and group velocity dispersion are observed, and the measured radial field amplitude of the Sommerfeld wave is inversely proportional to the radial distance. These results are consistent with theoretical predictions. Experimental results from curved wires show the weakly guiding property of the THz Sommerfeld wave, which will limit its applications. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.