Terahertz Frequency Domain Research Articles

The enhancement detection method based on the Fabry–Pérot cavity using terahertz frequency-domain spectroscopy

This article demonstrates a simple, efficient, and low-cost gas detection method for gases with absorption peaks in the terahertz range. A modes-adjustable Fabry–Pérot cavity is designed. By adjusting the length of the cavity, the center resonant frequency of the cavity can be coupled to the gas absorption peak. This kind of coupling can greatly enhance gas detection. To detect gas absorption peaks, we choose terahertz frequency domain spectroscopy (THz-FDS), whose frequency resolution can be up to the MHz level. Vapor is selected to verify the coupling phenomenon. The resonant frequency of the cavity is modified to couple to 0.56 THz, the absorption peak of vapor. Experiments are conducted at different humidity levels, the humidity is controlled by the supersaturated salt solution. Results indicate that at a humidity level of 15%, the coupling effect can enhance the detectability of vapor by approximately 167%, and this enhancement effect diminishes as humidity increases. We analyze the effect of different modes on the coupling and find that the high modes can make the coupling easier, but have little effect on the enhancement. Furthermore, the method is used to detect biomolecule-α-tyrosine to ensure it has wide applicability. This method can be used to detect substances with absorption peaks in the THz regime, especially for low-concentration gas.

Terahertz characterization of organic crystals using paraffin as dilution matrix

Terahertz waves exhibit excellent performance in molecular information detection of substances. Since natural materials exhibit weak absorption of terahertz waves, it's conventional to involve mixing analyte with polymer diluents and pressing them into pellets, or enhance the light-material interaction through coupling systems of natural materials with metamaterials. However, both pressure-induced metastable crystal structure transformations and spatial overlap between the analyte and metasurfaces can impact the absorption of terahertz waves by organic crystals. This paper proposes a novel analytical approach using paraffin as a dilution matrix for qualitatively and quantitatively characterizing organic crystals with THz spectroscopy. The featureless refractive index spectra and negligible absorption demonstrated the feasibility of paraffin as a diluting analyte. The analytical process was further demonstrated with well-studied lactose by being diluted in molten paraffin at different mass-ratios and solidified as pellets under room temperature and ambient pressure. A continuous wave terahertz frequency domain spectroscopy system (THz-FDS) is used for spectral acquisition over 0.4–1.3 THz. The experimental results reveal a significant linear correlation between the absorption coefficient peak areas and molar concentration of lactose, with a correlation coefficient R2 of 0.9678. Our method provides an additional optional dilution matrix for terahertz spectroscopy characterization of organic crystals, enabling non-destructive, rapid, and direct measurement of metastable crystals. Furthermore, this study on paraffin as a binder material holds potential for enhancing spatial overlap between natural materials and metamaterials in the field of metasurface-enhanced sensing.

Enhanced terahertz ISBT in GaAsBi/AlGaAs quantum well: impact of doping modulation

One of the pivotal characteristics of quantum wells (QW) designed for applications in filters or modulators is its absorption coefficient. This study investigates the combined influence of doping and active layer thickness on the absorption coefficient in GaAsBi/AlGaAs quantum wells. The self-consistent coupling between Schrödinger and Poisson equations was employed for this purpose. A comprehensive analysis of conduction band structure, energy levels, potentials, and densities is presented. This analysis discerns the effects of doping on intersubband transitions (ISBTs) in the terahertz (THz) frequency domain. An introduction of a donor impurity into the system greatly influenced the intersubband absorption coefficient, increasing its intensity and causing the optical response to shift toward the lowest frequency. The obtained resonant peak energies, situated within the terahertz spectrum, hint at promising applications for GaAsBi-based devices within this frequency band.

Rapid-scan broadband frequency-domain terahertz spectroscopy via dynamic optical phase lock

Frequency-domain terahertz (THz) spectroscopy using photomixing devices has unique advantages such as high dynamic range and high spectral resolution. Thus, many applications for solid-state and gas-phase spectroscopy have been proposed. In this study, we developed a feedback controlled technique to dynamically compensate for the optical phase accompanied by frequency sweep, enabling both fast and high-resolution data acquisition across a wide frequency region. From gas-phase THz spectroscopy measurements of dilute acetonitrile gas in a wide frequency range up to 1.1 THz, fine structures with linewidths less than 10 MHz were clearly resolved, while the data acquisition rate was improved by two orders compared to the previously reported value.

Ultra-high precision comb-locked terahertz frequency-domain spectroscopy of whispering-gallery modes

We demonstrate the capabilities of a novel frequency-domain terahertz spectrometer based on a comb-locked frequency synthesizer, which provides absolute frequency calibration. The inherent stability and repeatability of the scans allow for the combination of fast data acquisition with an average time-limited signal-to-noise ratio. We demonstrate kilohertz level frequency resolution in terahertz precision spectroscopy of ultra-high quality whispering-gallery-mode resonators. Spectra covering multiple free spectral ranges (>36 GHz) with sub-20 kHz resolution are acquired in 5 s. We analyze the coupling behavior and temperature tuning of single resonances and, for the first time, observe minute red and blue shifts of different mode families. The experimental results are supported with finite element simulations.

A Highly Frequency-Selective 3D-Printed Dielectric Structure for the Terahertz Range

AbstractIn this paper, we present a terahertz transmission frequency-selective quasi surface (FSQS) that exhibits strong absorption lines and a periodic band-pass characteristic. The FSQS structure is created by laterally combining Fabry-Pérot resonators with different thicknesses. The transfer function of the FSQS can serve as a broadband reference for testing the signal integrity of the transmission path for broadband terahertz systems. The transfer function achieves a combination of band-pass characteristics and sharp resonances with a theoretical attenuation of over 80 dB and with quality factors of more than 40,000 for a combination of 36 resonators. A single FSQS made up of four resonators is 3D printed by fused deposition modeling using a low-loss cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) filament. Finally, the 3D-printed FSQS is characterized using both frequency-domain and time-domain terahertz spectroscopy. The results show an attenuation of over 42 dB and a quality factor above 100.

Dual-band polarization insensitive graphene-based reconfigurable absorber in a terahertz regime.

In this paper, a dual-band graphene-based absorber is structured and investigated in a terahertz frequency domain. The designed absorber contains a plus-shaped graphene sheet, as well as four dual concentric graphene-based rings. It is designed according to the SiO2-based substrate. A dual concentric graphene ring provides more than 90% absorption from 2.36-3.24THz, while a plus-shaped graphene sheet is accountable for absorption from 5.0-5.32THz. The maximum absorption is found at 2.56, 3.08, and 5.16THz with 99.81%, 97.34%, and 99.74%, respectively. The variation in the chemical potential of the graphene material offers re-configurability in the dual absorption bands. Due to the four-fold symmetry of the designed structure, the absorptivity value is approximately constant for various polarizations with a wide incident angle (more than 60°). The aforementioned features of the proposed graphene-based absorber make it appropriate in a terahertz frequency regime.

Optical properties of two-dimensional Dirac–Weyl materials with a flatband

The emergence of a flatband in Dirac–Weyl materials offers new possibilities for electronic transitions, leading to stronger interaction with light. As a result, the optical conductivity can be significantly enhanced in these flatband materials as compared with graphene, making them potentially better candidates for optical sensing and modulation. Recently, a comprehensive theory for the optical conductivity of a spectrum of flatband Dirac–Weyl materials has been developed, with explicit formulas for both the real and imaginary parts of the conductivity derived through two independent approaches. This Perspective offers a review of the development. An understanding of the optical properties of the flatband Dirac–Weyl materials paves the way for optical device applications in the terahertz-frequency domain.

Standing Wave Pattern Suppression in the Terahertz Frequency Domain Spectroscopy by Means of Windowed Fourier Filtering

Standing Wave Pattern Suppression in the Terahertz Frequency Domain Spectroscopy by Means of Windowed Fourier Filtering

Frequency-domain terahertz optoacoustics for non-contact quantitative detection of gas, liquid, and solid samples.

Terahertz optoacoustics (THz-OA) combines the advantages of abundant molecular characteristic absorptions in a terahertz band and the low attenuation through ultrasonic detection. Frequency-domain THz-OA, benefiting from the compact and the low cost of a continuous-wave THz source, has been used in gas detection and sensing. However, liquid and solid detections are hard to achieve due to the sensitivity limitation of existing technologies. Here we present a high-sensitivity frequency-domain THz-OA system with customized optoacoustic cells to accomplish non-contact quantitative detection of gas, liquid, and solid samples. The relationships between signal amplitudes and sample concentration, volume and temperature are discussed separately, revealing a potential application of this technology.

Terahertz Spatiotemporal Wave Synthesis in Random Systems.

Complex media have emerged as a powerful and robust framework to control light-matter interactions designed for task-specific optical functionalities. Studies on wavefront shaping through disordered systems have demonstrated optical wave manipulation capabilities beyond conventional optics, including aberration-free and subwavelength focusing. However, achieving arbitrary and simultaneous control over the spatial and temporal features of light remains challenging. In particular, no practical solution exists for field-level arbitrary spatiotemporal control of wave packets. A new paradigm shift has emerged in the terahertz frequency domain, offering methods for absolute time-domain measurements of the scattered electric field, enabling direct field-based wave synthesis. In this work, we report the experimental demonstration of field-level control of single-cycle terahertz pulses on arbitrary spatial points through complex disordered media.

Characterization of Electrothermal Aged Insulation Structures of Vehicle Cable Terminal under Vibration Load in Terahertz Frequency Domain

Characterization of Electrothermal Aged Insulation Structures of Vehicle Cable Terminal under Vibration Load in Terahertz Frequency Domain

Design and fabrication of sub-terahertz filter using maskless femto second laser micromachining process

Anovel mask lessand rapid fabrication of frequency selective surface on the low-cost Copper/Polyimide substrate for sub-terahertz filter applications is discussed in this paper.The geometry of the unit cell is in hexagonal geometry with rectangular strips on its sides.The proposed frequency selective surface exhibits minimum reflection (S11) characteristics at 106.75 GHz. Parametric studies on the width of rectangular strip (W), periodicity of the unit cell (P), angle of incidence (θ) and thickness of copper layer (Ct)are conducted to demonstrate its effect on the transmission and reflection characteristics of the filter.A prototype of the proposed frequency selective surface is fabricated using femto second laser micromachining processand tested using Terahertz frequency domain spectroscopysystem. Measured and simulated results are compared where an agreeable correspondence is observed.

Inspection for Voids in the Grout below the Protective Duct of an External Post-Tensioning Bridge Tendon Using a THz A-Scanner

Grout voids in the tendons of a post-tensioning bridge reduce their strength. Grout voids are also severe flaws causing corrosion of the steel strands in the tendons. Detecting voids during construction and operation of the tendons is essential to prevent tendon failure, which is critical to bridge safety. This study presents a method for inspecting external tendons for voids in the grout below the protective duct pipe using terahertz electromagnetic waves. Due to low attenuation in the high-density polyethylene duct and the large reflectivity difference between the duct/grout and the duct/void interfaces, terahertz waves are suitable for detecting voids in the grout inside tendons. For this study, we developed a mobile frequency-domain terahertz A-scanner that can be used to measure terahertz A-scan data in real time. It is shown that the mobile terahertz A-scanner can be used to assess the area of the grout void in external bridge tendons.

Solvation Plays a Key Role in Antioxidant-Mediated Attenuation of Elevated Creatinine Level: An In Vitro Spectroscopic Investigation.

An elevated level of creatinine (CRN) is a mark of kidney ailment, and prolonged retention of such condition could lead to renal failure, associated with severe ischemia. Antioxidants are clinically known to excrete CRN from the body through urine, thereby reducing its level in blood. The molecular mechanism of such an exclusion process is still illusive. As the excretion channel is urine, solvation of the solute is expected to play a pivotal role. Here, we report a detailed time-domain and frequency-domain terahertz (THz) spectroscopic investigation to understand the solvation of CRN in the presence of two model antioxidants, mostly used to treat elevated CRN level: N-Acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) and ascorbic acid (ASC). FTIR spectroscopy in the mid-infrared region and UV absorption spectroscopy measurements coupled with quantum chemical calculations [at the B3LYP/6-311G++(d,p) level] reveal that both NAC and ASC form HBonded complexes with CRN and rapidly undergo a barrier-less proton transfer process to form creatinium ions. THz measurements provide explicit evidence of the formation of highly solvated complexes compared with bare CRN, which eventually enables its excretion through urine. These observations could provide a foundation for designing more beneficial drugs to resolve kidney diseases..

Micro-fabricated Si subwavelength grating for frequency-domain THz beam steering covering the 0.3-0.5 THz frequency band.

We designed and fabricated beam steering subwavelength grating (BS-SWG) with high efficiency, wide angles, and broadband beam steering in the terahertz (THz) range. Beam steering technology in the THz range by a fixed structure and frequency sweep has to date lacked a device combining high efficiency and a wide beam steering angle. A subwavelength structure using float zone Si, a low-loss dielectric, could combine both of these aspects, but no experimental demonstration in the THz range has been performed to our knowledge. The BS-SWG was designed with an efficiency of 0.708 at 0.4 THz and beam steering angles of -72.1°--34.8° by sweeping the incident frequency from 0.3 THz to 0.5 THz including the Beyond 5 G/6 G communication bands. An efficiency of 0.354 at 0.400 THz and beam steering angles of -74°--34° were experimentally achieved, demonstrating the potential of high-efficiency, wide-angle beam steering for THz communications, imaging, and radar applications.

Prediction of Thickness for Plastic Products Based on Terahertz Frequency-Domain Spectroscopy

A novel method for predicting the thicknesses of plastics based on continuous-wave terahertz (THz) frequency-domain spectroscopy (THz-FDS) is presented in this study. Initially, the target material’s THz refractive index is determined from the phase information provided by the coherent nature of THz-FDS. For thickness prediction, the optimal frequency band with a high signal-to-noise ratio and minor water vapor absorption is chosen first. The optical path along which the THz wave passes through a sample with unknown thickness is extracted from the phase delay information. The physical thickness of the sample is then determined using the calibrated refractive index obtained in the first step. Teflon, a classical plastic material, is utilized to illustrate the proposed process. A remarkable consistency with an overall relative difference of only 0.45% is revealed between the THz-FDS predicted and caliper measured thicknesses. The proposed method is expected to significantly expand the capabilities of THz spectroscopy.

Investigating the Molecular Rearrangement of Polar Liquid Mixtures Using Terahertz Frequency Domain Reflection Spectroscopy.

A special data processing method for the terahertz frequency domain reflection spectroscopy system has been proposed to analyze the characteristics of a polar mixed liquid. This novel and practical measurement system is characterized by a simpler optical structure and a tunable output frequency range of 0.1-1 THz. By Hilbert transform, stationary wavelet transform, and time domain zero setting method, the reflection coefficient that has been eliminated by the noise and the Fabry-Pérot effect can be obtained by the self-reference calibration method. Then, the dielectric function of the ethanol/n-hexane and propanol/n-hexane mixtures with different mixture ratios can be extracted by this method. In addition, a significant deviation can be observed between the imaginary part of the measured dielectric function and the ideal calculated value. These results indicate that during the mixing process of polar and nonpolar liquids, the hydroxyl functional groups of alcohols significantly change the molecular arrangement pattern of the mixture. The arrangement pattern will result in the formation of the new permanent dipole moment. This study lays a solid foundation for future research on the microscopic mechanism of intermolecular interaction using terahertz frequency domain reflection spectroscopy.

Terahertz-Based Insulation Delamination Defect Inspection of Vehicle Cable Terminals

Cable terminals of the high-speed electric multiple units (EMUs) are prone to undertake insulation delamination defects due to their special operating conditions. Such a defect is difficult to identify and it may pose a great threat to the safety of the EMUs. To achieve accurate detection of insulation delamination defects, this article proposes a terahertz (THz)-based approach that combines the spectrum of the THz wave and THz imaging techniques. Specifically, a synthetic multilayer composite insulation structure with an air gap is firstly built to simulate the internal delamination defect of the cable terminal. Then THz tests in both time and frequency domains are performed on the synthetic structure. Experimental results show that the delamination defect of the multilayer insulation structure can be quickly detected by observing the absorption spectrum in the THz frequency domain. The location and geometry of the defect can be preliminarily determined by the THz imaging and then further refined through image segmentation. In addition, the thickness of the delamination defect can be quickly calculated by the THz time-domain spectrum (TDS). By combining the THz spectrum and the THz imaging information, the delamination defects are quantitatively detected for the multilayer composite structure or even for the EMU’s cable terminals.

Frequency-domain terahertz spectroscopy using long-carrier-lifetime photoconductive antennas.

We present a telecommunication-compatible frequency-domain terahertz spectroscopy system realized by novel photoconductive antennas without using short-carrier-lifetime photoconductors. Built on a high-mobility InGaAs photoactive layer, these photoconductive antennas are designed with plasmonics-enhanced contact electrodes to achieve highly confined optical generation near the metal/semiconductor surface, which offers ultrafast photocarrier transport and, hence, efficient continuous-wave terahertz operation including both generation and detection. Consequently, using two plasmonic photoconductive antennas as a terahertz source and a terahertz detector, we successfully demonstrate frequency-domain spectroscopy with a dynamic range more than 95 dB and an operation bandwidth of 2.5 THz. Moreover, this novel approach to terahertz antenna design opens up a wide range of new possibilities for many different semiconductors and optical excitation wavelengths to be utilized, therefore bypassing short-carrier-lifetime photoconductors with limited availability.