Far infrared surface plasmon propagation

New experimental evidence is presented which shows that, contrary to an earlier report, far-infrared surface plasmons at metal-air interfaces propagate long distances (tens of centimeters or longer).     

High intensity magnetic fields for the identification and study of donors in epitaxial gallium arsenide

High intensity magnetic fields are needed for the far infrared photoconductivity method to be used reliably in the identification of unitentional contaminants in ultra high purity epitaxial GaAs. We show experimental evidence that the inhomogeneous Stark broadening of the 1s2p (m=–1) transition of the hydrogen-like donor almost disappears as the magnetic field is increased to 20 Tesla. Since the spectral lines also become narrower and the central cell correction (chemical shift) becomes larger, the signature curve method of identification permits positive identification of donor species. In particular, the donors Ge and Se have been identified in specimens that were reported to contain carbon and Sn respectively.Work supported by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Grant #AFOR-78-3708.Supported by the National Science Foundation.     

Real-time, continuous-wave terahertz imaging by a pyroelectric camera

Real-time, continuous-wave terahertz (THz) imaging is demonstrated. A 1.89-THz optically-pumped farinfrared laser is used as the illumination source, and a 124 × 124 element room-temperature pyroelectric camera is adopted as the detector. With this setup, THz images through various wrapping materials are shown. The results show that this imaging system has the potential applications in real-time mail and security inspection.     

Vector classification, doublet splitting of exciton and biexciton subbands in crystals, and selection rules for transitions between them

The analysis of experimental data on absorption, reflection, luminescence in the region of exciton and biexciton phototransitions in CdS, including P-band structure, shows that there is doubled, contrary to known theory, number of free exciton and biexciton states. This discreapancy is removed in the vector model of these states presented in this paper. The selection rules for transitions between exciton (biexciton) states in crystals taking into consideration their L-T splitting are obtained. The spectra of stimulated FIR radiation on excitonic transitions in CdS, previously obtained experimentally, well fit to these selection rules.     

Submillimeter absorption of electrolyte solutions

Absorption coefficients of very absorbing electrolyte solutions have been measured between 20 and 185 cm^–1. Fourier Transform Spectrometry is used together with a Far Infrared laser spectrometer on a discrete serie of lines. Excess absorption of lithium salts solutions, over that of pure solvent is evidenced for tetrahydrofuran and aqueous solutions.This paper is a part of Bennouna's thesis.