Tunable dual-wavelength terahertz wave power splitter

We demonstrate, for the first time, a tunable dual-wavelength terahertz wave power splitter based on the multimode interference effect and self-imaging principle in 1 × 2 × 2 photonic crystal waveguides. Both plane wave expansion method and finite-difference time-domain method are used to calculate and analyze the characteristics of the proposed device. The simulation results demonstrate that the power splitter not only split the input power into output1 and output2 branches with equal power at frequency of 1.09 THz, but also split the power into output3 and output4 branches symmetrically at frequency of 1.20 THz. Furthermore, for the frequency of 1.09 THz, the input terahertz wave power can be split into output1 and output2 branches with an arbitrary ratio by tuning the refractive index of the tuning rods.     

外差式相干探测时域光谱仪对磷化铟（InP）晶片的超宽频带太赫兹光谱的探测

磷化铟（InP）属于Ⅲ-Ⅴ族化合物半导体材料, 在毫米波的应用中展示出了高性能,在非线性太赫兹器件应用上具有很大的潜力。以前关于InP的研究主要集中于太赫兹频率在0.1～4 THz的频率范围内,在4～10 THz频率范围内InP的太赫兹光学数据还是空白。该研究利用空气等离子体相干探测太赫兹波的时域光谱系统研究了无掺杂的InP晶片在超宽THz频率范围（0.5～18 THz）内的光学特性, 实验中用电离的空气作为太赫兹的发射器和探测器, 利用可以调制的局部偏压诱导二次谐波产生,使在气体中太赫兹波的相干探测成为可能,明显提高了系统的动态范围和灵敏度。产生的太赫兹频谱宽度主要被激光脉冲持续时间所限制,太赫兹脉冲通过InP晶片后相对于参考脉冲会延迟,同时振幅会降低。另外,太赫兹信号的频谱振幅在6.7～12.1 THz范围内下降到本底噪声。同时还可以看出InP晶片在6.7～12.1 THz频率范围内不透光,在0.8～6.7 THz以及12.1～18 THz频率范围内InP的吸收系数相对较低,特别是在15～17.5 THz范围内吸收系数很低并且保持相对稳定,与此同时它的折射率单调增加。这些发现将有助于基于InP晶片的非线性太赫兹器件设计。     

Novel optical controllable terahertz wave switch

We study theoretically and demonstrate experimentally light controllable terahertz wave switch. When the modulated optical excitation source is used to irradiate a high resistivity silicon wafer, a novel controllable terahertz wave switch is achieved. The results show that the ON-OFF response time is less than 150 ms and the attenuation of the novel terahertz wave switch is more than 20 dB at frequency of 0.315 THz.     

Design and analysis of a metallic waveguide with a DAST cap for continuously phase-matched terahertz difference frequency generation

We present a novel source for continuous terahertz (THz) wave generation using an organic ionic salt, 4-dimethylamino-N-methyl-4-stilbazolium-tosylate (DAST). THz waves are generated based on difference frequency generation (DFG) in the device. Phase matching condition and THz generation between 1.3 THz and 2.7 THz, for optical pump around 1.6 μm, are investigated. Our calculations predict that the device produces a relatively high THz output power of 11.07 μW from a 4 cm long waveguide at 2 THz.     

Optical detection of terahertz radiation by using nonlinear parametric upconversion

We describe and demonstrate sensitive room-temperature detection of terahertz (THz) radiation by nonlinearly upconverting terahertz to the near-infrared regime, relying on telecommications components. THz radiation at 700 GHz is mixed with pump light at 1550 nm in a bulk GaAs crystal to generate an idler wave at 1555.6 nm, which is separated and detected by using a commercial p-i-n diode. The THz detector operates at room temperature and has an intrinsic THz-to-optical photon conversion efficiency of 0.001%.     

太赫兹技术在农产品检测中的应用研究进展

我国是农业大国,保障粮食安全是国家发展的战略需要。农产品检测技术的应用和发展对监控质量,预防由农产品品质问题引发的安全事故至关重要。太赫兹(Terahertz, THz)波位于电磁频谱空隙,频率高于微波而低于红外线,具备光子能量低、穿透性好、能表征分子结构等优点。基于太赫兹波的光谱检测技术受到研究人员广泛关注,在生物医学、安全检查等方面得到应用,被证明是一种可靠的检测手段。在农产品应用领域,太赫兹波特有的非接触、无标记检测能力为农产品成分分析、质量控制提供了技术手段,其良好的穿透性和无损害性,可以用来在不破坏农产品表面及外包装的前提下,检测内部成分变化。与其他光谱(超声、 X射线、红外等)检测手段相比,太赫兹波频率范围宽、表征能力强,可实现对目标物质的快速无损检测。近几年,随着太赫兹发射源、探测器等设备以及光谱和成像技术的发展,其在农产品领域的应用有了新的进展。通过收集整理近期的文献资料,综述了太赫兹技术在农产品检测方面的应用拓展和研究成果,总结了目前存在的应用局限。在此基础上,对未来太赫兹光谱和图像检测的研究方向进行了展望,提出提高检测灵敏度和检测速度是农产品领域太赫兹技术产业化应用...     

基于圆台结构的超宽带极化不敏感太赫兹吸收器

本文提出一种基于圆台形吸收单元的超宽带、极化不敏感的超材料太赫兹吸收器. 该超材料吸收器采用金属薄膜金和介质层二氧化硅交替叠加的多层结构. 采用商业软件CST Studio Suite 2009时域求解器计算了其在0–10 THz波段内的吸收率A（ω）,在2–10 THz之间实现了对入射太赫兹波的超宽频带强吸收. 仿真结果表明,由于其圆台形单元结构,在器件垂直方向上形成一系列不同尺寸的微型吸收器,产生了吸收频点相连的多频吸收峰. 利用不同吸收峰的耦合叠加效应,获得超过8 THz的超宽带太赫兹波吸收,吸收强度达到92.3%以上. 这一结构具有超宽带强吸收,360°极化不敏感以及易于加工等优越特性,因而在太赫兹波探测器、光谱成像以及隐身技术方面具有潜在的应用. 关键词： 太赫兹波 超材料吸收器 圆台结构 超宽带     

Mechanically tunable metamaterials terahertz dual-band bandstop filter

We experimentally demonstrate a mechanically tunable metamaterials terahertz(THz) dual-band bandstop filter. The unit cell of the filter contains an inner aluminum circle and an outside aluminum Ohm-ring on high resistance silicon substrate. The performance of the filter is simulated by finite-integration-time-domain(FITD) method. The sample is fabricated using a surface micromachining process and experimentally demonstrated using a THz time-domain-spectroscopy(TDS) system. The results show that, when the incident THz wave is polarized in y-axis, the filter has two intensive absorption peaks locating at 0.71 THz and 1.13 THz, respectively. The position of the high-frequency absorption peak and the amplitude of the low-frequency absorption peak can be simultaneously tuned by rotating the sample along its normal axis.The tunability of the high-frequency absorption peak is due to the shift of resonance frequency of two electrical dipoles,and that of the low-frequency absorption peak results from the effect of rotationally induced transparent. This tunable filter is very useful for switch, manipulation, and frequency selective detection of THz beam.     

玻璃衬底二氧化钒薄膜的宽频带太赫兹波调制特性

针对二氧化钒（VO2）薄膜在可调谐太赫兹功能器件中的应用, 采用磁控溅射法在K9玻璃衬底上制备了VO2薄膜, 并用X射线衍射（XRD）对薄膜的晶相进行表征。利用配备加热装置的太赫兹时域光谱系统（THz-TDS）研究了薄膜样品在变温过程中的THz反射、透射光谱特性及其变化规律。实验结果表明, 随着加热温度的升高, VO2薄膜发生半导体-金属相变并对宽频段THz波产生显著的调制作用。调制深度明显依赖于THz频率, 薄膜样品对THz波反射功率、透射率的幅度调制深度在0.3~0.5 THz范围波动较大;对THz波的透射率在低频处较大, 高频处较小, 调制深度在35%~65%之间变化。该薄膜制备简单, 质量高, 可应用于太赫兹开关和调制器等功能器件。     

"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.     

Terahertz-pulse generation by photoionization of air with laser pulses composed of both fundamental and second-harmonic waves

Intense radiation in the terahertz (THz) frequency range can be generated by focusing of an ultrashort laser pulse composed of both a fundamental wave and its second-harmonic field into air, as reported previously by Cook et al. [Opt. Lett. 25, 1210 (2000)]. We identify a threshold for THz generation that proves that generation of a plasma is required and that the nonlinearity of air is insufficient to explain our measurements. An additional THz field component generated in the type I beta-barium borate crystal used for second-harmonic generation has to be considered if one is to avoid misinterpretation of this kind of experiment. We conclude with a comparison that shows that the plasma emitter is competitive with other state-of-the-art THz emitters.     

0.34 THz大功率过模表面波振荡器研究

论文对0.34 THz大功率过模表面波振荡器进行了模拟设计和初步实验研究. 针对高过模比(D/λ ≈ 6.8)慢波结构, 根据小信号理论选择了合适的慢波结构尺寸和电子束距壁距离, 实现了器件在表面波TM₀₁模的π点附近谐振. 根据PIC模拟结果, 表面波振荡器可以实现频率和功率分别为0.34 THz和22.8 MW的太赫兹波输出. 采用微细电火花加工技术完成了不锈钢慢波结构的一体化精细加工, 并基于小型化脉冲功率驱动源搭建了实验装置. 初步的实验结果表明, 在电子束电压和电流分别约为420 kV和3.1 kA时, 0.34 THz大功率过模表面波振荡器输出脉冲的频率范围为0.319–0.349 THz, 辐射功率不小于250 kW, 脉宽约为2 ns. 最后分析讨论了实验输出功率与模拟结果相差较大的原因, 为表面波振荡器的性能改善奠定了基础.     

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.     

0.14 THz双环超材料慢波结构表面波振荡器数值研究

本文研究了一种太赫兹波段双环超材料慢波结构, 并具有同轴引出结构的相对论过模表面波振荡器. 设计了超材料同轴过模慢波结构; 通过色散特性, 进行了模式选择和过模结构电子束电参数和几何参数的设计; 根据超材料同轴慢波结构的特点, 设计了具有同轴引出结构的末端同轴输出段. 粒子模拟结果表明, 在电子束电压为600 kV和电流为1.0 kA, 引导磁场为2.0 T 时, 同轴超材料慢波结构过模表面波振荡器输出稳定单频的0.141 THz电磁波, 峰值功率为316.8 MW.     

光栅-液晶复合结构太赫兹移相器

随着太赫兹技术及其应用的快速发展,各类太赫兹控制器件需求也随之增加,作为太赫兹系统重要器件之一,太赫兹波移相器成为当前研究热点。已有移相器存在着尺寸较大、结构复杂、相移量较小等问题,为克服上述缺陷,提出一种光栅-液晶复合结构太赫兹移相器,该器件结构为石英、石墨烯、液晶盒、光栅结构、石墨烯和石英组成。通过改变石墨烯电极上电压,使液晶折射率发生改变,相移器的相位因折射率改变而发生变化,通过控制外加电压可以实现对太赫兹波相移量有效调控。计算结果表明,该移相器在0.39~0.46 THz频率范围内实现了400°相移量,回波损耗小于-11 dB,在频率0.43 THz处,最大相移量达到422°。太赫兹波入射角在0°~30°范围内变化,移相器的相移量保持不变,而且该器件对入射太赫兹波偏振态不敏感。所设计的太赫兹移相器具有相移量大、结构尺寸小等优点,在未来的太赫兹通信、安检、医疗、传感、成像等领域中具有广阔的应用前景。     

基于纳观域碳纳米管的太赫兹波天线研究

基于碳纳米管独特的结构特点建立了以其为基础的Pocklington积分方程,并设计了一种全新的碳纳米管太赫兹(THz)波天线.数值仿真和理论计算结果表明,碳纳米管能够产生高频THz电磁辐射,半波长为60μm、半径为2.712nm的单壁碳纳米管偶极天线在-10dB反射系数以下可以实现2.5THz与7.6THz的双频带工作,带宽分别为8.4%与2.7%,由其构成的纳米管天线阵可以获得10.3dB的高增益特性.所得结果有助于在纳观域开展高频THz波辐射源及天线的研究与设计. 关键词： 太赫兹波 碳纳米管 天线 辐射源     

Tunable anticrossing of gated and ungated plasma resonances and enhancement of interlayer terahertz electric field in an asymmetric bilayer of density-modulated two-dimensional electron gases

We study theoretically the terahertz (THz) response of a bilayer of density-modulated two-dimensional electron gases, which we employ to model the actual double-quantum-well electron channel of a grid-gated field-effect transistor in which strong THz photoresponse was recently observed. We have shown that such a system can be driven into the anticrossing regime between gated and ungated plasma resonances by tuning the gate voltage. The amplitude of the interlayer THz electric field in the ungated (double-layered) portions of the channel increases dramatically in the anticrossing regime. This strong interlayer THz electric field may strongly affect interlayer electron tunneling which, in turn, may contribute to the physical mechanism underlying the strong THz photoresponse observed in recent experiments.     

Terahertz imaging through self-mixing in a quantum cascade laser

We demonstrate terahertz (THz) frequency imaging using a single quantum cascade laser (QCL) device for both generation and sensing of THz radiation. Detection is achieved by utilizing the effect of self-mixing in the THz QCL, and, specifically, by monitoring perturbations to the voltage across the QCL, induced by light reflected from an external object back into the laser cavity. Self-mixing imaging offers high sensitivity, a potentially fast response, and a simple, compact optical design, and we show that it can be used to obtain high-resolution reflection images of exemplar structures.     

Ultracold Rydberg atoms for efficient storage of terahertz frequency signals using electromagnetically induced transparency

Quantum communication with terahertz (THz) frequency signals has many advantages like reduced attenuation and scintillation effects in certain atmospheric conditions along with very high level of data security. In this work, we propose a scheme to realize Quantum Memory (QM) for efficient storage of terahertz (THz) frequency signals using Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) in an ultracold atomic medium of ⁸⁷Rb Rydberg atoms prepared in a Two Dimensional Magneto Optical Trap (2D-MOT). The uniqueness of our scheme lies in the choice of the energy levels involved in the EIT process, all three of which have been chosen to be the Rydberg levels (enabling signal beam to be in THz) in a lambda type arrangement. This first of its kind proposal reveals that atomic media are a potential candidate for devising QMs which can store THz frequency signals. We have estimated that the Optical Depth (OD) in our scheme can reach a very high value of 690, very high maximum obtainable storage efficiency (η) of ～99%, the group velocity ($v_g$) can be as low as 5.07 × 10³ m/s, and the Delay Bandwidth Product (DBP) can be as high as 9.5. All of these estimates emphasize the feasibility of our scheme as a QM device for efficient storage of THz pulses.     

太赫兹波光谱特性分析

目前太赫兹技术的研究主要集中在它的产生、探测机理研究上。由于太赫兹波处于微波和可见光之间的频率范围,已有的微波和光波理论是否能适用于太赫兹波或者具有某些共同的特性仍需实验验证。通过实验分析验证了太赫兹波在空气介质中在垂直于传播方向的平面内场振幅是服从高斯函数分布的,测量给出了太赫兹波的能量分布图。根据测试数据推导出太赫兹波在空气介质中能量衰减公式,利用法布里-珀罗(F-P)干涉仪原理设计出太赫兹波长仪,对美国Corehent公司SIFIR-50THz太赫兹激光器发射的1～3THz波长进行了测量。讨论分析了远场发射角、光束入射角度、机械振动、温度波动和折射率n波动等相关因素对测量精度的影响。