Novel approach for the design and analysis of a terahertz microstrip patch antenna based on photonic crystals

In this study, we designed and analyzed five terahertz microstrip patch antennae based on a modified photonic band gap substrate in the frequency range from 0.5 to 0.8 THz. The objective was to achieve the best antenna characteristics around 0.65 THz, which has applications in sensing and communication technologies. Simulations were performed for rectangular patch antennae based on different substrates, including homogeneous, periodic photonic crystals and four new aperiodic photonic crystal substrates. Each of the modified photonic crystal substrates contained several sets of air holes perforated in the polyimide substrate, where each set had its own specific radius. The proposed antennae had high radiation characteristics around 0.65 THz compared with conventional antenna. The best characteristics were achieved with the second antenna structure, which obtained a minimal return loss of -83.73 dB and a wide bandwidth greater than 230 GHz. The gain achieved and radiation efficiency were 9.19 dB and 90.84%, respectively. The simulations were performed based on the finite integration technique with the commercially available CST Microwave Studio simulator.