We report an experimental and theoretical study of single mode, guided wave
propagation in plastic ribbons. Using cylindrical THz optics, we obtain ex
cellent quasioptic coupling between freely propagating THz waves and a sing
le TM0 waveguide mode. Dispersive, low-loss propagation is observed within
the experimental bandwidth of 0.1-3.5 THz for 2-cm-wide, high-density polye
thylene ribbon waveguides with dimensions of 150 mu m thick by 10 mm long,
and 120 mu m thick by 20 mm long. Such ribbons show promise as a flexible T
Hz interconnect with a controllable group velocity dispersion. (C) 2000 Ame
rican Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(00)08720-X].