Electrostatic MEMS tunable split-ring resonators for THz filter applications

We propose a new use of an RF-MEMS (radio frequency - micro electro mechanical systems) capacitive switch to construct a tunable terahertz filter. The built-in capacitor within a split-ring resonator is electrostatically actuated to shift the resonant frequency, providing a behavior as an ON/OFF switch for a particular frequency in the terahertz band. The device is compatible with the surface micromachining process of metals as well as with the roll-to-roll printing patterning for large and flexible sheet filters.