Low-Cost and Affordable Thermistor-Based Wideband Sub-THz Detector with Dielectric Waveguide Coupling

Abstract

Bolometric detection of electromagnetic radiation is a well-established method in a wide frequency range, from millimeter waves through the terahertz region up to infrared. Fabrication of such a detector is often an expensive and demanding process. We propose a simple device based on a commercially available thermistor as a sensing element. To direct radiation to the sensor, we designed and fabricated a 3D-printed optical element integrated with the dielectric waveguide. An electronic setup was prepared to measure the sensor response. The described device is an affordable detector with acceptable detection parameters such as SNR or responsivity at a hundreds of volts per watt level.

Keywords

• THz
• sub-THz
• detection
• bolometer
• quasi-optics