THz wave polarization-controlled spectroscopic imaging for anisotropic materials

We present a polarization-controlled terahertz (THz) wave spectroscopic imaging modality to investigate the anisotropy of the detected materials. The polarization of the emitted THz wave is controlled by changing the relative phase between the fundamental and second-harmonic waves in the two-color laser-induced air plasma THz generation configuration. The THz wave polarization direction is extracted by measuring the two electric field amplitudes when the polarization of the incident wave is controlled to be horizontal and vertical. The anisotropy of the industrial Sprayed-On-Foam-Insulation (SOFI) is characterized by measuring its azimuthal angle dependent THz polarization response. This work demonstrates that THz wave polarization-controlled imaging technique can be used for highly sensitive industrial nondestructive inspection and biological related characterization.     

Polarization state and Mueller matrix measurements in terahertz-time domain spectroscopy

We derive the complete formulae governing the polarization state measurement in terahertz-time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) by using a rotatable THz polarizer. Four Stokes parameters can be uniquely obtained by spectrally-resolved measurement in THz-TDS. Further, we propose a new approach to measure the Mueller matrix of a pure birefringent material, using THz-TDS, by rotating the material under test. Based on the above techniques, we successfully measured the Mueller matrices of a quartz crystal in the frequency domain.     

NOVEL TERAHERTZ PHOTOCONDUCTIVE ANTENNAS

The photoconductive (PC) antenna is a key device for the recent terahertz (THz) photonics based on laser-pumped generation and detection of THz radiation. In this paper we report on two new types of PC antennas: the Schottky PC antenna and the multi-contacts PC antenna. The former one is able to detect THz radiation intensity without the time-delay scan and useful for applications where spectroscopic information is not important, such as the THz intensity imaging. The latter one is useful for the polarization sensitive THz spectroscopy, such as the THz ellipsometry. The characteristic features of these new types of PC antennas are studied by using a THz time-domain spectroscopy system.     

Terahertz radiation by an ultrafast spontaneous polarization modulation of multiferroic BiFeO3 thin films

Terahertz (THz) radiation has been observed from multiferroic BiFeO3 thin films via ultrafast modulation of spontaneous polarization upon carrier excitation with illumination of femtosecond laser pulses. The radiated THz pulses from BiFeO3 thin films were clarified to directly reflect the spontaneous polarization state, giving rise to a memory effect in a unique style and enabling THz radiation even at zero-bias electric field. On the basis of our findings, we demonstrate potential approaches to ferroelectric nonvolatile random access memory with nondestructive readability and ferroelectric domain imaging microscopy using THz radiation as a sensitive probe.     

Terahertz wave polarization rotation in bianisotropic metamaterials

Utilizing a polarization sensitive terahertz detection method where the detector is rotated by either 0° or 90° to measure the electric field E_{p, s} (t) of each polarization component, we have characterized the properties of split ring resonators. The strong polarization dependence of the bianisotropic-circular-current-driven and linear-polarization-induced resonances is in excellent agreement with the simulation when the p-polarized terahertz transmission is measured. However, these electromagnetic responses vanish when the s-polarized terahertz transmission is measured. There is only a transmission minimum at 1.64 THz and the terahertz polarization rotation angle of about 90° is observed. The polarized terahertz transmission amplitudes and spectra detected at orthogonal orientations show that these behaviours are probably attributed to the birefringent effect of the sample.     

填充ENZ材料的太赫兹高双折射及近零平坦色散微结构光纤北大核心CSCD

为了实现太赫兹波的保偏波导传输,设计了一种含有纤芯缺陷孔和椭圆形包层空气孔的高双折射微结构光纤。通过在包层空气孔中选择性地填充太赫兹近零介电常量(epsilon-nearzero,ENZ)材料,引入了几何结构和材料分布的双重不对称性,破坏了2个偏振基模的简并以获得高双折射特性。应用有限元方法研究了光纤的双折射、损耗和色散等传输特性随结构参数的变化规律。在0.5 THz~2 THz的宽频段范围内获得了大于0.01的高双折射。x和y偏振基模的损耗在0.8 THz附近具有最小值,分别为0.903 dB·cm^(-1)和0.851 dB·cm^(-1)。纤芯缺陷孔可以有效调节色散特性,y偏振基模在1 THz~1.8 THz范围内具有(0±0.054)ps·THz^(-1)·cm^(-1)近零平坦色散特性。光纤的传输特性对ENZ材料的折射率变化不敏感。研究结论为研制太赫兹保偏光纤提供了理论参考。     

Optical-frequency dependent modal birefringence and polarization mode dispersion of birefringent single-mode optical fibers over a broadband optical wavelength range

Optical-frequency dependent polarization mode dispersion as well as modal birefringence of three kinds of specially designed hollow-induced birefringent single-mode fiber are measured over an optical frequency range between 345 and 410 THz by optical frequency-domain interferometry.     

多功能太赫兹超表面偏振控制器

本文提出了一种“金属栅-开口环/硅环-金属栅”结构的透射式超表面偏振控制器, 研究了入射角度和抽运光对该器件传输及偏振态控制性能的影响. 研究结果表明, 当线偏振太赫兹波垂直入射时, 可对0.39-1.11 THz频段的太赫兹波实现偏振方向90°旋转, 偏振旋转效率为99%, 损耗为1 dB. 对于斜入射的情况, 偏振转换性能在0-60°范围内基本保持不变, 且透过率达到90%以上. 同时, 通过调控抽运光强度的方式, 该器件能够实现对透射与反射太赫兹光束的强度调制, 调制深度均达到90%, 且可以实现太赫兹波偏振分束功能. 该器件可以作为未来太赫兹空间光通信和信息处理的宽带、角度不敏感、可调谐的偏振转换器和分束器.     

Analytical investigation of response of birefringent fiber Bragg grating sensors in distributed monitoring system based on optical frequency domain reflectometry

When Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are used as strain sensors, both longitudinal and lateral strain can be applied uniformly or non-uniformly over the length of the FBGs. In order for the demodulation of such FBG signal, this paper investigates the response of birefringent FBGs which are monitored by distributed measurement system based on optical frequency domain reflectometry. A numerical model of the distributed measurement system is built based on piece-wise uniform approach, which considers polarization states of propagating lights. The numerical model simulates analytical response of birefringent FBGs especially when birefringence induces power fluctuations in the distributed spectra, which can be noise or new opportunity for sensitive monitoring of birefringence. Simulation results show the relationships between the power fluctuations and the polarization states of the propagating lights. Consequently, appropriate methods of polarization control for sensitive distributed birefringent FBG monitoring are discussed.     

基于太赫兹量子级联激光器的实时成像研究进展

太赫兹(THz)实时成像是THz技术中颇具潜力的一个领域,具有成像速度快、成像分辨率高等特点,基于THz量子级联激光器(QCL)的实时成像系统是其中最重要的一种,系统体积小、重量轻、成像信噪比高等特点使其在实际应用中具有独特的优势。本文主要介绍了THz QCL器件及其实时成像系统的研究进展,采用超半球高阻硅透镜改善了THz QCL的输出激光,实现了准高斯光束输出,搭建了基于二维摆镜消干涉技术的THz实时成像系统,单帧成像光斑面积45mm×30 mm,实现了对刀片、药片的实时成像演示,成像分辨率优于0.5 mm;最后对成像系统激光源、成像光路和探测端的改进以及成像效果的改善方面进行了综述,并探讨了THz实时成像系统未来的发展趋势及其在材料分析和生物医学成像方面的应用前景。     

Spectrum reconstruction based on the constrained optimal linear inverse methods

The dispersion effect of birefringent material results in spectrally varying Nyquist frequency for the Fourier transform spectrometer based on birefringent prism. Correct spectral information cannot be retrieved from the observed interferogram if the dispersion effect is not appropriately compensated. Some methods, such as nonuniform fast Fourier transforms and compensation method, were proposed to reconstruct the spectrum. In this Letter, an alternative constrained spectrum reconstruction method is suggested for the stationary polarization interference imaging spectrometer (SPIIS) based on the Savart polariscope. In the theoretical model of the interferogram, the noise and the total measurement error are included, and the spectrum reconstruction is performed by using the constrained optimal linear inverse methods. From numerical simulation, it is found that the proposed method is much more effective and robust than the nonconstrained spectrum reconstruction method proposed by Jian, and provides a useful spectrum reconstruction approach for the SPIIS.     

太赫兹数字全息术的研究进展

随着太赫兹成像技术的不断成熟,其空间分辨率和系统信噪比逐渐提高,成像速度逐渐加快,光学信息获取能力逐渐变强,人们对太赫兹成像在基础研究和工业应用的开发也逐渐深入。本文综述了近年来科研人员利用太赫兹数字全息成像系统进行的部分研究工作,包括对平板太赫兹元件的性能表征、对光控太赫兹元件的功能验证、对衍射太赫兹场中的纵向分量进行观测、以及对金属亚波长器件的太赫兹表面波进行分析。这些工作的完成对于太赫兹集成系统的研究和太赫兹成像技术的应用都具有积极的推动作用。     

基于狄拉克半金属的可调谐的太赫兹宽频带纯线偏振转换器

本文基于新型材料狄拉克半金属(Dirac semimetals,DSs),设计了一款高纯度宽频带可调谐线偏振转换器,偏振转换率(PCR)超过99%的相对带宽为15.72%。在频段5.25~6.14 THz内,椭度角接近0°,偏振方位角约等于-90°。这种转换性能主要是源于顶层超表面的各向异性和局域的表面等离子体激元谐振(LSPRs)的激发。此外,通过改变费米能的大小可以使所设计的偏振转换器在不同的频带范围内实现宽频带偏振转换。最后,通过半解析的方法对偏振转换特性进行了理论分析。该设计在太赫兹通信、成像、无损检测等领域具有一定的应用价值,同时为宽频带可调谐太赫兹线偏振转换器的设计提供了新思路。     

Analysis of the lateral displacement and optical path difference in wide-field-of-view polarization interference imaging spectrometer

The mechanism of beam splitting and principle of wide-field-of-view compensation of modified Savart polariscope in the wide-field-of-view polarization interference imaging spectrometer (WPIIS) are analyzed and discussed. Formulas for the lateral displacement and optical path difference (OPD) produced by the modified Savart polariscope are derived by ray-tracing method. The theoretical and practical guidance is thereby provided for the study, design, modulation, experiment and engineering of the polarization interference imaging spectrometers and other birefringent Fourier-transform spectrometers based on Savart polariscopes.     

Passive component based multifunctional Jones matrix swept source optical coherence tomography for Doppler and polarization imaging

We present a fiber based multifunctional Jones matrix swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) system for Doppler and polarization imaging. Jones matrix measurement without using active components such as electro-optic modulators is realized by incident polarization multiplexing based on independent delay of two orthogonal polarization states and polarization diversity detection. In addition to polarization sensitivity, this system measures Doppler flow without extra hardware for phase stabilized SS-OCT detection. An eighth-wave plate was measured to demonstrate the polarization detection accuracy. The optic nerve head of a retina was measured in vivo. Detailed vasculature and birefringent structures were investigated simultaneously.     

光谱偏振调制器的高精度装调方法

为了提高光谱偏振调制器的探测精度,提出了光谱偏振调制器的高精度装调方法。首先,分析了光谱偏振调制器的调制原理,提出了采用三片多级相位延迟器加线偏振器的装调方案;然后,建立了调制器装调的数理模型,设计了校准多级相位延迟器的厚度;最后,对成像过程进行了计算机仿真实验验证,并模拟了成像系统的装调过程。结果表明:利用该方法能够灵敏检测偏振器件间的微小相对旋转角度误差,可实现调制器的高精度装调,在输入本文设定的校准光谱条件下,绝对精度可达0.2°。该方法保留了传统光谱调制器充分利用通道带宽的优势,保证了复原光谱的分辨率,为强度调制型光谱偏振成像系统的精密装调提供了一定的理论参考。     

Polarization insensitive terahertz metamaterial absorber

We present the simulation, implementation, and measurement of a polarization insensitive resonant metamaterial absorber in the terahertz region. The device consists of a metal/dielectric-spacer/metal structure allowing us to maximize absorption by varying the dielectric material and thickness and, hence, the effective electrical permittivity and magnetic permeability. Experimental absorption of 77% and 65% at 2.12 THz (in the operating frequency range of terahertz quantum cascade lasers) is observed for a spacer of polyimide or silicon dioxide respectively. These metamaterials are promising candidates as absorbing elements for thermally based terahertz imaging.     

Compact static Fourier transform imaging spectropolarimeter based on channeled polarimetry

The theoretical operation and experimental demonstration of a Fourier transform imaging spectropolarimeter for real time measurement of the polarization state of light are presented. The spectropolarimeter uses a Wollaston prism as a birefringent interferometer and two high-order retarders to incorporate channeled polarimetry. Compared with previous instruments, the most significant advantage of the described model is that the complete wavelength-dependent polarization is acquired simultaneously along a one-dimensional spatial image by a single snapshot. Also, we show that, in this configuration, we can benefit from the advantages of the model: it is compact and robust, and the birefringent interferometer has a high throughput.     

Polarization independent birefringent Fabry-Perot etalon having polarization conversion mirrors

Polarization independent operation of birefringent Fabry-Perot etalon is proposed using polarization conversion mirrors (PCMs) as the cavity mirrors. PCMs, such as Faraday mirrors, rotate the polarization plane by 90° upon reflection thus allowing the same phase accumulation for the two eigenwaves after a roundtrip inside the cavity. Based on that when the cavity is filled with an electrooptic material such as a liquid crystal, polarization independent tunable filtering is obtained.     

有限厚度传导孔径对太赫兹脉冲的时空整形

太赫兹脉冲经时空整形后常被用在太赫兹光谱和成像上。用三维时域有限差分法模拟了矩形和圆形孔径的整形效应,模拟结果表明有限厚度矩形和圆形孔径对太赫兹脉冲能实现有效的整形和滤波。当矩形孔径长边垂直于入射波的偏振方向时,矩形孔径有较好的整形和滤波作用,当矩形孔径长边平行于入射波的偏振方向时,几乎没有明显的整形和滤波作用。圆形孔径具有比矩形孔径更加显著的整形和滤波作用。这些模拟结果用平面光波导理论可以得到很好的解释。