Full vectorial mapping of the complex electric near-fields of THz resonators

Abstract

Using micro-structured photo-conducting probes, we demonstrate full vectorial mapping of the complex electric fields in the near-field region of a resonant structure at THz frequencies. The investigated structure represents the simplest case of a resonator: a metallic rod. We show field amplitude as well as phase maps for the three field components at the half wavelength (λ/2) resonance of the rod. The field as well as the phase distributions are in excellent agreement with our physical understanding of local electric-field distributions in the vicinity of λ/2 resonant structures and are validated by numerical simulations. These measurements can be a platform for performance optimization of the emerging field of THz photonic and plasmonic devices with complex sub-wavelength structures.