Near-field phenomena observed with terahertz pulses

Propagation of free-space femtosecond THz pulses (t rays) through and past metal structures with dimensions on the order of a wavelength has been studied. In waveguides with diameters close to one wavelength, it is found that the phase velocity can become superluminal (faster than the speed of light in vacuum) and even infinite or negative. T rays that propagate past a 100-mu m metal wire are delayed when the polarization is perpendicular and advanced when it is parallel. in this case, it is also observed that the centroid velocity (related to the group velocity) can become superluminal. Many of the results do not conform to simple waveguide theory, because of multiple reflections of the evanescent waves inside the waveguide. This "Fabry-Perot" effect for evanescent waves is the cause of the negative phase velocities below the waveguide cutoff.