A micro-mechanical beam-steering device for terahertz frequencies

Beam-steering techniques are required to fully exploit the benefits of present and future terahertz imaging systems. We propose and model a device that overcomes the difficulties that prevent analogues of existing electrical and optical micro-mechanical techniques being employed at terahertz frequencies. The device employs a variable phase-control medium comprised of interlocking artificial dielectric surfaces. We present an analytical array factor calculation that provides insight into the operation of the device and an improved discrete array factor model incorporating the complex transmission coefficients of the structure. The models are validated by comparison to results from a rigorous full-vector electromagnetic solver tool (finite-difference time-domain). We predict a practical device constructed from a silicon substrate could steer both TE and TM beams by up to 6.4°.