Compact tunable terahertz source: Perspectives on planar configurations

In the last decade there has been an increasing interest for terahertz technology. The reasons of this increasing interest is mainly due to its potential use in security applications with particular reference to drug and explosive detection. In this framework, the appropriate integration of metamaterials with nanotechnologies looks very promising for the construction of new compact low cost devices. Following this line of argument, we are exploring the possibility to combine the use of nanocathodes as sources of electron beams with engineered metamaterial layers in order to deliver coherent tunable terahertz radiation. More exactly, starting from a revised design of microwave sources, we discuss the issues related to manufacture miniaturized planar devices taking advantage of some appropriate integration of post silicon technologies