Intraband dynamics and terahertz emission in biased semiconductor superlattices coupled to double far-infrared pulses

This paper studies both the intraband polarization and terahertz emission of a semiconductor superlattice in combined dc and ac electric fields by using the superposition of two identical time delayed and phase shifted optical pulses. By adjusting the delay between these two optical pulses, our results show that the intraband polarization is sensitive to the time delay. The peak values appear again for the terahertz emission intensity due to the superposition of two optical pulses. The emission lines of terahertz blueshift and redshift in different ac electric fields and dynamic localization appears. The emission lines of THz only appear to blueshift when the biased superlattice is driven by a single optical pulse. Due to excitonic dynamic localization, the terahertz emission intensity decays with time in different dc and ac electric fields. These are features of this superlattice which distinguish it from a superlattice generated by a single optical pulse to drive it.     

缩比模型的宽频时域太赫兹雷达散射截面(RCS)研究

本文首次以钛宝石飞秒激光振荡级为抽运源,搭建了国内首套宽频时域太赫兹雷达(带宽0.1—1.3 THz)并进行了基于标准球的系统校正验证.利用该雷达测量了太赫兹波段三种缩比模型的散射时域信号.通过改进后的后向投影算法对模型的轮廓外形进行了成像研究,验证了新型时域散射信号成像机理.太赫兹雷达更高的频率,宽谱的特征和高分辨率成像的能力有望用于隐形外形设计过程,成为新兴的太赫兹散射特征研究平台.     

基于光导微探针的近场/远场可扫描太赫兹光谱技术

太赫兹技术已经成为涉及公共安全、军事国防和国民经济等国家核心利益的前沿研究领域.以往太赫兹测量技术中通常以远场测量为主,如常用的太赫兹时域光谱仪.近年来太赫兹近场技术得到了迅猛的发展,特别是基于光导天线的探针技术的发展,为可扫描的太赫兹近场测量提供了可能.本文详细报道了我们近期在可扫描太赫兹近场光谱仪研究中的进展.采用光纤耦合的光导微探针实现了方便灵活的太赫兹近场/远场三维扫描,并同时获得振幅和相位信息.该系统将有可能广泛应用于人工微结构、石墨烯、表面等离子激元、波导传输、近场成像、生物样品检测、芯片检测等研究领域.     

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。     

Effect of optical pumping on the momentum relaxation time of graphene in the terahertz range

The momentum relaxation time of a photoexcited graphene in the THz frequency range has been studied by using terabertz time domain spectroscopy under optical pumping at room temperature. It is found that the momentum relaxation time of the graphene as a function of the optical pumping intensity exhibits a threshold behavior. The features of the momentum relaxation time as a function of the optical pumping intensity are also investigated. The results are useful for understanding the basic underlying physics of graphene scattering as well as finding the possible applications in carbon- based electronics.     

基于可调谐准高斯波束太赫兹源的成像系统研究

报道了一种基于频率可调谐准高斯太赫兹波束的透射成像系统.研究表明,在这种成像系统中太赫兹波束具有良好的空间分布特性,其波束质量因子M²_x＝1.15,M²_z＝1.25,波束传输特性和聚焦特性良好.实验结果反映出成像系统的空间分辨能力与典型太赫兹波长(250μm)相接近.在太赫兹波输出1.0—2.5THz范围内,成像系统信噪比大于1000dB;在1.8THz处,信噪比 关键词： 太赫兹波 太赫兹成像 太赫兹探测     

生物基底材料的超宽频带太赫兹光谱研究

作为一种新兴的方式,太赫兹时域光谱和成像已经被广泛应用到研究不同生物组织的光学特性。在空气等离子体处施加偏置电场对太赫兹波脉冲进行外差式相干检测(air-biased-coherent-detection,ABCD)的太赫兹系统具有超宽频带和可以在较远距离进行成像的优点,十分适用于对生物组织进行超宽谱研究,而对生物组织进行光谱测量通常需要基底材料。利用太赫兹ABCD系统对四种典型的基底材料(石英,高密度聚乙烯,聚四氟乙烯和石蜡)的光学参数进行测定,并计算其在1~15THz频率范围内的吸收系数和折射率。结果表明,高密度聚乙烯和石蜡可以很好的被用作生物组织超宽频带太赫兹光谱测量的基底材料。同时,虽然石英和聚四氟乙烯都是窄带(0.1~3THz)太赫兹系统中常用的基底材料,但是由于它们在高于5THz的频率范围内对太赫兹波具有较强的吸收,所以不能用作超宽频带太赫兹光谱测量的基底材料。     

太赫兹片上系统和基于微纳结构的太赫兹超宽谱源的研究进展

目前太赫兹辐射信号的功率不高,辐射带宽也较窄,这些对于生物化学、含能材料的太赫兹检测应用领域来说是一大限制因素,因此如何获得宽谱高功率的太赫兹源对于太赫兹时域光谱系统的发展是非常重要的;另一方面,常规的太赫兹系统是在自由空间传输探测的,测量过程需要在氮气或者干燥空气环境中进行,以克服空气中水的吸收干扰,同时自由空间中的光场与物质相互作用的模式又降低了物质检测的灵敏度,这对于痕量物质检测来说构成了挑战.面对这一问题,太赫兹片上系统利用微纳结构中的局域场效应实现对物质的低浓度检测,此方案有助于解决这一应用难题.综上所述,本文分成以下两部分阐述:首先阐述了纳米金属薄膜作为新的太赫兹源,它可以同时产生非相干的和相干的太赫兹信号,其输出为超过100 THz的太赫兹-红外辐射,功率高达10 mW,这种超宽谱和高功率现象主要是由于非相干的热辐射效应引起的;第二,阐述了基于不同传输线结构、不同基底材料的太赫兹片上系统结构设计和光谱应用.基于共面带状线结构和聚合物材料基底的太赫兹片上系统有着较低的损耗,能够实现超过2 THz带宽的测量和生物化学应用.     

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.     

利用3D打印技术制备太赫兹器件

高性能的太赫兹器件在控制太赫兹波方面起到重要的作用,因此寻求一种简单有效的太赫兹器件加工方案非常必要。本文以太赫兹波导和太赫兹滤波器为例,分别选用Kagome型光子晶体结构的波导和一维光子晶体结构的滤波器,运用商用的3D打印机加工样品,并采用透射式太赫兹时域光谱系统对样品的参数进行测量。实验结果表明:加工的波导在0.2~1.0 THz范围内传输损耗平均值约为0.02 cm~(-1),最小值可达到0.002 cm~(-1),且可运用机械拼接的方式将多个波导进行简单的连接从而获得更长的波导而不引起严重的损耗;滤波器的透射谱在0.1~0.5 THz之间有两个明显高损耗带;这两组实验结果均与理论预计非常接近。本文运用太赫兹波导和滤波器的实例证实了3D打印技术加工太赫兹器件的可行性,将会成为获取性能可控、价格低廉的太赫兹器件的有效途径。     

超快太赫兹时域光谱系统

超快太赫兹时域光谱系统是基于高速异步光学采样原理进行工作的,该系统使用2个重复频率可在1 GHz附近变化的飞秒振荡器,并使用高带宽反馈电路控制其重复频率。2个飞秒振荡器的重复频率存在Δf的失谐,一个飞秒振荡器的重复频率是1 GHz+Δf Hz,为泵浦脉冲;另一个飞秒振荡器的重复频率是1 GHz,为探测脉冲,由此提供泵浦脉冲和探针脉冲的时间差,时间延迟呈周期性变化,其扫描周期可以由1/Δf给出。此系统摒弃了传统THz-TDS系统所必需的机械延迟线,采用双光子探测器来产生触发信号。当设定Δf=1 kHz时,1 ms就可以探测出1个THz谱, 用时10.3 s即可得到动态范围为21 dB、频谱分辨率为5 GHz的太赫兹信号。该系统具有检测速度快和频谱分辨率高的优点,在需要快速测量的应用环境中有着传统太赫兹时域光谱系统不可比拟的优势。     

连续太赫兹波双物距叠层定量相衬成像

针对连续太赫兹波叠层成像重建算法收敛较为迟滞的问题,提出一种连续太赫兹波双物距叠层成像方法及相关重建算法,使用不同记录距离形成的差异化衍射图幅值作为重建算法记录平面的约束条件,增加了记录平面数据多样性和衍射信息冗余度.仿真结果表明,本方法可以加快算法收敛速率,有效减少迭代次数,提高连续太赫兹波定量相衬成像计算效率.随后构建了基于2.52 THz光泵连续太赫兹激光器的双物距叠层成像实验装置,应用双物距记录方法及改进算法重建获得了聚丙烯基字母图案样品的幅值和相位分布,结果表明改进方法可以减少算法迭代次数,提升计算效率,同时改善相位像重建结果保真度.     

基于太赫兹量子级联激光器的无线信号传输的实现

文章采用连续波激射的太赫兹量子级联激光器(THz QCL) 为发射端、光谱匹配的THz量子阱探测器(THz QWP) 为接收端, 搭建了基于THz波的无线传输演示系统. 测量并分析了该演示系统的传输带宽. 采用搭建的无线传输系统演示了基于4.13 THz电磁波的图片文件的无线传输过程, 得到了与源文件一致的结果, 验证了采用THz QCL和THz QWP进行THz信号无线传输的可行性.最后, 分析了演示系统的传输速率, 给出了提高系统传输速率的方法.     

Real-time two-dimensional terahertz tomography of moving objects

We propose real-time two-dimensional (2D) terahertz (THz) tomography for 2D cross-sectional imaging of moving objects. The proposed method does not require mechanical scanning elements for time delay and sample position, which are essential for conventional THz tomography. For this purpose, a 2D spatiotemporal THz image is acquired at a frame rate of 10 frame/s by a combination of time-to-space conversion using non-collinear 2D free-space electro-optic sampling and line focusing of a THz beam on a sample. We demonstrate the use of real-time 2D THz tomography for real-time monitoring of the paint thickness in a moving paint sample and the drying progress in a wet paint film. The proposed method provides a powerful tool for non-ionizing and non-contact probing in the fields of nondestructive testing and biomedical diagnostics.     

High-speed terahertz time-domain spectroscopy based on electronically controlled optical sampling

We demonstrate high-speed terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy based on electronically controlled optical sampling (ECOPS). The ECOPS system utilizes two synchronized Ti:sapphire femtosecond lasers with a 100 MHz repetition frequency. The time delay between the two laser pulses is demonstrated to be rapidly swept at a scan rate of 1 kHz on a time delay window of 77 ps by using an external offset voltage applied to a locking electronics. It is shown that a THz pulse can be exactly measured by ECOPS, as is done by asynchronous optical sampling (ASOPS), and the measurement time is shortened by a factor of 50 by using ECOPS compared with ASOPS in the case of employing 100 MHz repetition-rate lasers.     

All-semiconductor laser driven terahertz time-domain spectrometer

We present a terahertz time-domain spectrometer pumped by an all-semiconductor femtosecond laser system which emits 600 fs long optical pulses at 830 nm. Standard LT-GaAs antennas are used to generate and coherently detect THz radiation with a bandwidth of 1.4 THz. The measured time traces are in good agreement with simulations based on the Drude–Lorentz model. Spectroscopic measurements on polymers with different additive contents as well as THz imaging were carried out to confirm the successful operation of the spectrometer. Our approach holds great potential for the development of cost-effective, rugged and portable THz spectrometers for a variety of applications.     

太赫兹远距离快速扫描成像系统的设计

在太赫兹成像技术研究中,分辨率、成像时间和距离是非常关键的参数指标,为了推动太赫兹成像技术的实用化,特别是提高对隐藏危险物品的远距离快速预警检测能力,提出被动式远距离太赫兹快速扫描成像系统。该系统采用单个太赫兹探测器和光机扫描相结合的方式。扫描子系统中,将六面体转镜置于离轴三反镜系统的平行光路中,使扫描范围从广泛研究中采用的物空间转换到像空间有效缩小了扫描区域,缩短了成像时间。本套被动式扫描成像系统主要参数:探测器频率0.34 THz,成像距离10 m,视场1.51.5,成像分辨率3 cm,成像时间1 s。     

0.14THz高功率太赫兹脉冲的频率测量

提出了采用截止波导法与谐波混频法相结合的方式,进行0.14THz高功率短脉冲的频率测量.首先将两个截止频率分别为0.125和0.15THz的非标准矩形波导作为接收端,通过截止波导滤波法获得了太赫兹辐射源的频率范围.然后根据已知的频率范围,将本振频率选择为15—20GHz,则谐波混频的谐波次数确定为8.随后的Ka波段的脉冲测试和0.14THz连续波测试表明,该8次谐波混频器可用于0.14THz脉冲的混频测量.最后,0.14THz脉冲频率测量实验给出了太赫兹辐射源的准确频率为0.1465THz.该方法大大降低了对本振信号的频率要求,且结果准确可信,为长波段太赫兹脉冲的频率测量提供了一种新的思路.     

"All air-plasma" terahertz spectroscopy

We demonstrate terahertz wave generation and detection capabilities up to 6 THz without the need for solid state materials, biased electrodes, or forward propagating signal collection. An "all air-plasma" terahertz system is used to encode explosive material resonant signatures into the 357 nm nitrogen fluorescence line of a bichromatic field-induced laser plasma filament. These results show the practicability to extend these measurements to remote locations where terahertz pulse information is no longer limited by water vapor absorption, phonon resonance, or signal collection directionality.     

High-performance fiber-laser-based terahertz spectrometer

We have developed a rapid scanning terahertz (THz) spectrometer based on a synchronized two-fiber-laser system. When the system is set to the asynchronous optical sampling mode, THz spectra extending to 3 THz can be acquired within 1 μs at a signal-to-noise ratio of the electric field of better than 20. Signal averaging results in a dynamic range of more than 60 dB, and frequency components of more than 4 THz can be detected. When the lasers are set to the same repetition rate, electronically controlled optical sampling at a rate of 2.5 kHz is demonstrated, making the system versatile for different spectroscopic applications. Finally, we compare the THz emission spectra of a photoconductive switch that is pumped at 780 nm and a nonlinear DAST crystal excited at 1550 nm. We find that the spectral range of the spectrometer is significantly enhanced at higher frequencies, while the dynamic range remains constant.