Introduction to MEMSTIC

MEMSTIC is our chosen acronym for Multi-Element Multiple-Substrate Terahertz Integrated Circuit which denotes a novel circuit technology especially suited for the submillimeterwave frequency range. It is just under development by 4 institutes from 3 German Universities closely cooperating within a NSF activity. In this overview, the basic ideas of MEMSTIC will be outlined which will be illustrated by the subsequent 10 papers of this session dealing with devices and components which shall in future be integrated into a complete submillimeterwave transceiver.