Ultra-Wideband Integrated Graphene-Based Absorbers for Terahertz Waveguide Systems

This article presents novel graphene-based absorber materials which can be directly integrated in terahertz waveguide systems. A simple, low-cost integration method is developed, allowing graphene augmented inorganic nanofibers to be embedded inside a metallic waveguide. In contrast to existing absorbers, the ability to embed such materials in a metallic waveguide allows them to be integrated into complete terahertz systems for large-scale applications. The electromagnetic properties of such materials are then examined using standard network analysis techniques. A wideband measurement setup is developed to enable measurement of a single sample from 67 to 500 GHz, eliminating the need to fabricate multiple samples. The porosity of the integrated material leads to excellent electromagnetic performance across a wide range of frequencies. The samples are found to have a reflection coefficient less than -10 dB for frequencies above 200 GHz, while their attenuation per unit length exceeds 35 dB mm(-1). The low reflectivity of the material allows it to be used in systems applications where undesired reflections must be avoided. The electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of the material is assessed, with a total effectiveness of 20-45 dB observed for 0.84 mm thick samples.