Fiber-coupled Terahertz Time-domain Spectroscopy Research Articles

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and micro-cavity components for probing samples: a review

We give a brief review of the developments in terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) systems and micro-cavity components for probing samples in the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology. The broadband terahertz (THz) radiation sources based on GaAs m-i-n diodes have been investigated by applying high electric fields. Then, the free space THz-TDS and fiber-coupled THz-TDS systems produced in our lab and their applications in drug/cancer detection are introduced in detail. To further improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and enhance sensitivity, we introduce three general micro-cavity approaches to achieve tiny-volume sample detection, summarizing our previous results about their characteristics, performance, and potential applications.

Nondestructive evaluation of GFRP composite including multi-delamination using THz spectroscopy and imaging

We utilize a fiber-coupled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy system (THz-TDS) based on photoconductive antennas to visualize multi-delamination and their thickness in a glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite plate. We simulate a hidden multi-delamination by inserting a Teflon film in the GFRP composite plate that is fabricated using the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. Reflected or transmitted terahertz (THz) waves are recorded from GFRP samples mounted on the x–y linear motorized stage during the investigation. The x–y linear motorized stage is driven in steps of 0.2 mm, thereby allowing us to scan the sample. We examine and compare the performances of the THz time-domain visualization (TTV) and THz frequency-domain visualization (TFV) algorithms to evaluate their characteristics for the visualization of defects. The thickness of the GFRP sample and multi-delamination is estimated using the reflection geometry method. Finally, we confirm that the hidden multi-delamination of the GFRP sample has been successfully visualized in the B- and C-scans. In addition, the thicknesses of the GFRP sample and the simulated delamination as compared with the experimental values exhibit a close consistency.

Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy System Driven by a Monolithic Semiconductor Laser

A fiber coupled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz TDS) system which is driven by a pulsed monolithic semiconductor laser is presented. A bandwidth of over 0.6 THz with a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 45 dB has been achieved at a wavelength of 1550 nm. This concept could pave the way towards ultra-compact and low-cost THz TDS systems.

Photoconductive Terahertz Near-Field Detectors for Operation With 1550-nm Pulsed Fiber Lasers

We present a new generation of photoconductive (PC) terahertz (THz) near-field probes based on freestanding Beryllium-doped low-temperature-grown InGaAs/InAlAs cantilevers. The PC probes are compatible to optical gating with a femtosecond laser having a center wavelength of 1550 nm. Therefore, they are well suited for a cost-efficient direct integration with fiber-coupled THz time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) systems. The photoconductor material features electron lifetimes of 500 fs allowing for broadband detection up to 2 THz, which is comparable to existing LT-GaAs-based near-field detectors, which require 800-nm wavelength excitation. We demonstrate the detector operation in a state-of-the-art fiber-based TDS system with fast and coherent data acquisition and show obtained sheet-resistance mappings of conductive thin-films featuring subwavelength resolution.

Polarization-Dependent Optimization of Fiber-Coupled Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy System

The optimization of the fiber-coupled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) system is performed by changing the polarization of the optical excitation pulse centered at 1550 nm. InGaAs/InAlAs multilayer structures based photoconductive antennas are used in TDS setup as both the emitter and receiver. The experimental results demonstrate that not only the THz signal power but also the temporal waveform vary with the rotation of the exciting pulse polarization. Maximum output power of the emitter is obtained when the polarization of the pump pulse is perpendicular to the edge of the metal electrodes. At this moment the THz waveform is close to a single-cycled pulse. However, double THz pulses could be recorded when the pump laser polarization is parallel to the electrodes. Laser pulse splitting induced by the birefringence of the optical fiber may attribute to the polarization-dependent performance of the fiber-coupled THz-TDS system.

Route of delivering 40-fs ultra-short laser pulses for gating photoconductive antenna in fiber-coupled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

A route of delivering ultra-short laser pulses through a polarization-maintaining single-mode fiber has been investigated experimentally. The group velocity dispersion was well compensated, and the self-phase modulation was depressed in fiber. Finally, a 40-fs laser pulse with the energy of 70 pJ was obtained at the output of the transmitted fiber with the length up to 4 m in our fiber-delivery system. The route exhibits distinguishing features of compactness and flexibility, and this 40-fs laser pulse can be used not only to generate broadband terahertz (THz) radiation but also to detect broadband THz radiation, which is much better than the 150-fs laser pulse used previously.

Characterization and Modeling of Laser Micromachined Periodically Corrugated Metallic Terahertz Wire Waveguides

Finite element method simulations of periodically corrugated metal terahertz wire waveguides have been conducted with concurrent analysis done on both the near-field confinement properties and the far-field emission properties at the end of the waveguides. This modeling was used to guide the choice of design parameters for the fabrication of waveguides with laser micromachining. The waveguides were characterized with a fiber-coupled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and imaging system. The propagation properties as well as the frequency dependent diffraction at the end of the wire waveguides were examined and compared to straight, non-engineered metallic wire waveguides.

Diffuse Scattering From Rough Surfaces in THz Communication Channels

Recent years have seen a tremendous increase in the demand for wireless bandwidth. To support this demand by innovative and resourceful use of technology, future communication systems will have to shift towards higher carrier frequencies. Due to the tight regulatory situation, frequencies in the atmospheric attenuation window around 300 GHz appear very attractive to facilitate an indoor, short range, ultra high speed THz communication system. In this paper, we investigate the influence of diffuse scattering at such high frequencies on the characteristics of the communication channel and its implications on the non-line-of-sight propagation path. The Kirchhoff approach is verified by an experimental study of diffuse scattering from randomly rough surfaces commonly encountered in indoor environments using a fiber-coupled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy system to perform angle- and frequency-dependent measurements. Furthermore, we integrate the Kirchhoff approach into a self-developed ray tracing algorithm to model the signal coverage of a typical office scenario.

Optical fiber-coupled InGaAs-based terahertz time–domain spectroscopy system

The successful demonstration of an optical fiber-coupled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) system is described in this study. The terahertz output power of the emitter with two optical band rejection filters was 132 nW, which is an improvement of 70% over the output power without any filters. This improvement is due to the suppression of an optical modulated signal that is reverse-generated when an alternating current bias exceeding a certain threshold is applied to the emitter. Under the optimal alignment conditions, the terahertz detector in a fiber-coupled THz-TDS system clearly measured water vapor dips in the free space.

Terahertz lenses made by compression molding of micropowders

We present a simple and versatile approach for fabricating terahertz lenses based on compression molding of micropowder polymer materials in a tabletop hydraulic press. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, a biconvex lens shape is calculated using a ray-tracing algorithm and lenses based on two different micropowders are fabricated. As the powder materials have different refractive indices, the resulting lenses share the same geometric shape but differ in their respective focal length. The focusing properties of the lenses are evaluated by transversal and sagittal beam profile measurements in a fiber-coupled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy system, confirming the excellent imaging qualities of the compression molded lenses.

High-speed terahertz time-domain spectroscopy of cyclotron resonance in pulsed magnetic field

We present time-resolved cyclotron resonance spectra of holes in p-Ge measured during single magnetic field pulses by using a rapid-scanning, fiber-coupled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy system. The key component of the system is a rotating monolithic delay line featuring four helicoid mirror surfaces. It allows measurements of THz spectra at up to 250 Hz repetition rate. Here we show results taken at 150 Hz. In a single 900 ms measurement 135 cyclotron resonance spectra were recorded that fully agree with what is expected from literature.

Optical fiber link for transmission of 1-nJ femtosecond laser pulses at 1550 nm

We report on numerical and experimental characterization of the performance of a fiber link optimized for the delivery of sub-100-fs laser pulses at 1550 nm over several meters of fiber. We investigate the power handling capacity of the link, and demonstrate all-fiber delivery of 1-nJ pulses over a distance of 5.3 m. The fiber link consists of dispersion-compensating fiber (DCF) and standard single-mode fiber. The optical pulses at different positions in the fiber link are measured using frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG). The results are compared with numerical simulations of the pulse propagation based on the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The high input power capacity of the fiber link allows the splitting and distribution of femtosecond pulses to an array of fibers with applications in multi-channel fiber-coupled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and imaging systems. We demonstrate THz pulse generation and detection using a distributed fiber link with 32 channels and 2.6 nJ input pulse energy.

Guided propagation of terahertz pulses on metal wires

We demonstrate a new waveguiding structure for terahertz (THz) radiation in which broadband THz pulses are confined and guided along a bare metal wire. The propagation of THz pulses on such a waveguide is characterized with a fiber-coupled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy system. Free-space THz radiation is coupled onto the waveguide at different positions along the wire, and spatially resolved detection of the electric field of the guided wave is performed at the end of the wire. This waveguide exhibits the lowest attenuation of any waveguide for broadband THz pulses reported so far because of the minimal exposed metallic surface area. It also supports propagation of broadband radiation with negligible group-velocity dispersion, making it especially suitable for use in THz sensing and diagnostic systems. In addition, the structural simplicity lends itself naturally to the facile manipulation of the guided pulses, including coupling, directing, and beam splitting. These results can be described in terms of a model developed by Sommerfeld for waves propagating along the surface of a cylindrical conductor.