A terahertz metamaterial absorber is presented, designed to achieve strong resonance absorption at terahertz frequencies. The design consists of a bilayer unit cell that allows independent tuning of electrical permittivity and magnetic permeability, maximizing absorption. An experimental absorptivity of 70% at 1.3 THz is demonstrated, with an absorption coefficient of α = 2000 cm⁻¹. These metamaterials are promising for thermally based THz imaging due to their low volume, low density, and narrow band response. The absorber consists of two distinct metallic elements: an electric ring resonator and a split wire. The electric ring resonator couples strongly to electric fields, while the split wire couples to magnetic fields, generating antiparallel currents for resonant magnetic response. Computer simulations using CST Microwave Studio were performed, modeling the metamaterial as lossy gold and the spacer as polyimide. The absorptivity was calculated using S-parameters, showing a high absorptivity of 98% at 1.12 THz. The metamaterial was fabricated using surface micromachining, with a semi-insulating GaAs wafer as the substrate. The absorber was tested using an FTIR spectrometer, showing a high absorptivity of 70% at 1.3 THz. The absorber is polarization-sensitive, performing well for light polarized along the x-direction but poorly for y-polarized light. This sensitivity is desirable for mm-wave and THz imaging to reduce "glint" from metallic objects. The metamaterial's narrowband absorptivity enables spectrally selective detection, which is important for applications such as detecting explosive materials. The design is geometrically scalable and can be combined with semiconducting materials or ferroelectrics to enable optically or electrically tunable frequency agile metamaterials. The results demonstrate the potential of metamaterials for creating narrow-band, low thermal mass absorbers for thermal sensing applications. The research was supported by various grants and institutions.A terahertz metamaterial absorber is presented, designed to achieve strong resonance absorption at terahertz frequencies. The design consists of a bilayer unit cell that allows independent tuning of electrical permittivity and magnetic permeability, maximizing absorption. An experimental absorptivity of 70% at 1.3 THz is demonstrated, with an absorption coefficient of α = 2000 cm⁻¹. These metamaterials are promising for thermally based THz imaging due to their low volume, low density, and narrow band response. The absorber consists of two distinct metallic elements: an electric ring resonator and a split wire. The electric ring resonator couples strongly to electric fields, while the split wire couples to magnetic fields, generating antiparallel currents for resonant magnetic response. Computer simulations using CST Microwave Studio were performed, modeling the metamaterial as lossy gold and the spacer as polyimide. The absorptivity was calculated using S-parameters, showing a high absorptivity of 98% at 1.12 THz. The metamaterial was fabricated using surface micromachining, with a semi-insulating GaAs wafer as the substrate. The absorber was tested using an FTIR spectrometer, showing a high absorptivity of 70% at 1.3 THz. The absorber is polarization-sensitive, performing well for light polarized along the x-direction but poorly for y-polarized light. This sensitivity is desirable for mm-wave and THz imaging to reduce "glint" from metallic objects. The metamaterial's narrowband absorptivity enables spectrally selective detection, which is important for applications such as detecting explosive materials. The design is geometrically scalable and can be combined with semiconducting materials or ferroelectrics to enable optically or electrically tunable frequency agile metamaterials. The results demonstrate the potential of metamaterials for creating narrow-band, low thermal mass absorbers for thermal sensing applications. The research was supported by various grants and institutions.