Terahertz Conductivity of Silver Nanowire Layers

We present the study of the influence of different thin silver nanowire layers on electrical and optical properties in the Terahertz (THz) frequency range. We demonstrate that the absorbance, transmittance and reflectance of the metal nanowire layers in the frequency range of 0.2~THz to 1.2~THz is non-monotonic and depends on the nanowire dimensions and density. We present and validate also a theoretical approach describing well the experimental results and allowing to model the THz response as function the nanowire layer structure. Our results pave the way toward the application of silver nanowires as a perspective material for transparent and conductive coatings, and printable antennas operating in the terahertz range – significant for future wireless communication devices.