Low-loss terahertz ribbon waveguides

The submillimeter wave or terahertz (THz) band (1 mm-100 microm) is one of the last unexplored frontiers in the electromagnetic spectrum. A major stumbling block hampering instrument deployment in this frequency regime is the lack of a low-loss guiding structure equivalent to the optical fiber that is so prevalent at the visible wavelengths. The presence of strong inherent vibrational absorption bands in solids and the high skin-depth losses of conductors make the traditional microstripline circuits, conventional dielectric lines, or metallic waveguides, which are common at microwave frequencies, much too lossy to be used in the THz bands. Even the modern surface plasmon polariton waveguides are much too lossy for long-distance transmission in the THz bands. We describe a concept for overcoming this drawback and describe a new family of ultra-low-loss ribbon-based guide structures and matching components for propagating single-mode THz signals. For straight runs this ribbon-based waveguide can provide an attenuation constant that is more than 100 times less than that of a conventional dielectric or metallic waveguide. Problems dealing with efficient coupling of power into and out of the ribbon guide, achieving low-loss bends and branches, and forming THz circuit elements are discussed in detail. One notes that active circuit elements can be integrated directly onto the ribbon structure (when it is made with semiconductor material) and that the absence of metallic structures in the ribbon guide provides the possibility of high-power carrying capability. It thus appears that this ribbon-based dielectric waveguide and associated components can be used as fundamental building blocks for a new generation of ultra-high-speed electronic integrated circuits or THz interconnects.     

A novel broadband terahertz filter for photonic crystal

Abstract

The influence of the change of the radius of point defect cylinders, scattering dielectric cylinders, dielectric cylinders on both sides of line waveguide on S parameter is studied. According to the resonant coupling principle between micro-cavity and waveguide, a novel broadband terahertz filter is designed. The novel filter is formed by introducing scattering dielectric cylinders into the resonant microcavity, and the point defect cylinders are composed of HgTe material and adjusting the radius of dielectric cylinders on both sides of line waveguide. Results show that the 3 dB bandwidth reaches 74.2 GHz, the return loss is less than ?12.02 dB, the maximum insertion loss in-band reaches 0.35 dB and its drop efficiency is up to 96.79%. The novel terahertz filter has flat passband, sharp rejections at out-bands and its central frequency is 0.338THz. The good performances show that it can meet the requirements of high speed and broadband in terahertz atmosphere communication I window.     

硅材料的太赫兹波频域特性分析

对不同电阻率的N型硅材料(电阻率从5~100Ω.cm)在太赫兹波波段的折射率、消光系数和吸收系数等特性参数,利用返波振荡器(BWO)太赫兹波系统进行了测试、计算和分析,得到N型硅在0.23 THz到0.375 THz频段范围内的光学特性.表明在这一波段N型硅的太赫兹波吸收系数随着电阻率的增加而减小,吸收系数最小值可达到3.39×10-4cm-1.分析表明,它将是潜在的太赫兹波波导的最佳候选材料.     

硅太赫兹波导配置及性能分析

针对现有太赫兹辐射源在输出频率可调性及输出功率方面的局限性。本文从非线性介质的Maxwell方程入手对非线性聚合物的光学性质进行理论分析,建立硅波导配置的数学模型。利用硅材料的高折射率,设计了硅太赫兹波导。分析了太赫兹波导模式图,讨论了硅太赫兹波导模式的有效折射率、波导损耗、连续波输出功率与输出频率的关系,实验结果表明:硅太赫兹波导产生的太赫兹波连续可调,输出太赫兹波频率范围宽至0.1THz到15THz,输出功率可达到微瓦级。     

Multi-channel terahertz wavelength division demultiplexer with defects-coupled photonic crystal waveguide

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) wavelength division demultiplexer based on a compact defects-coupled photonic crystal waveguide is proposed and demonstrated numerically. This device consists of an input waveguide that perpendicularly coupled with a series of defects cavities, each of which captures the resonance frequency from the input waveguide. Coupled-mode theory and finite element method are used to analyze the transmission properties of the structure. It is found that the transmission wavelength centered around 1 THz can be adjusted by changing the geometrical parameters of defects cavities, which equals to THz waves generated by optical methods such as difference frequency generation and optical rectification. Applications in this frequency range are urgently needed. Furthermore, the highest transmission efficiency of 0.94 can be achieved when a perfect wavelength-selective mirror is set in the output waveguide.     

Low-loss polymers for terahertz applications

We have performed high-precision terahertz time-domain spectroscopy measurements on polymers (cross-linked polystyrene, TPX, Zeonor) from 0.2 to 4.2 THz. They show very interesting terahertz and visible transparency. We also investigated the terahertz characteristics of PDMS, a polymer extensively used in microfluidics, which showed absorption compatible with terahertz experiments. The thermoplastic properties of these polymers make them suitable for use as lens, window, waveguide, or support materials in such applications as biological imaging or microfluidics necessitating a constant visual control not provided by conventional silicon- or teflon-based devices.     

Integrated planar terahertz resonators for femtomolar sensitivity label-free detection of DNA hybridization

A promising label-free approach for the analysis of genetic material by means of detecting the hybridization of polynucleotides with electromagnetic waves at terahertz (THz) frequencies is presented. Using an integrated waveguide approach, incorporating resonant THz structures as sample carriers and transducers for the analysis of the DNA molecules, we achieve a sensitivity down to femtomolar levels. The approach is demonstrated with time-domain ultrafast techniques based on femtosecond laser pulses for generating and electro-optically detecting broadband THz signals, although the principle can certainly be transferred to other THz technologies.     

Narrow-line waveguide terahertz time-domain spectroscopy of aspirin and aspirin precursors

Low frequency vibrational modes of pharmaceutical molecules are dependent on the molecule as a whole and can be used for identification purposes. However, conventional Fourier transform far-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) often result in broad, overlapping features that are difficult to distinguish. The technique of waveguide THz-TDS has been recently developed, resulting in sharper spectral features. Waveguide THz-TDS consists of forming an ordered polycrystalline film on a metal plate and incorporating that plate in a parallel-plate waveguide, where the film is probed by THz radiation. The planar order of the film on the metal surface strongly reduces the inhomogeneous broadening, while cooling the waveguide to 77 K reduces the homogeneous broadening. This combination results in sharper absorption lines associated with the vibrational modes of the molecule. Here, this technique has been demonstrated with aspirin and its precursors, benzoic acid and salicylic acid, as well as the salicylic acid isomers 3- and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. Linewidths as narrow as 20 GHz have been observed, rivaling single crystal measurements.     

Three-dimensional terahertz wave imaging

Pulsed terahertz (THz) wave sensing and imaging is a coherent measurement technology. Like radar, based on the phase and amplitude of the THz pulse at each frequency, THz waves provide temporal and spectroscopic information that allows us to develop various three-dimensional (3D) terahertz tomographic imaging modalities. The 3D THz tomographic imaging methods we investigated include THz time-of-flight tomography, THz computed tomography (CT) and THz binary lens tomography. THz time-of-flight uses the THz pulses as a probe beam to temporally mark the target, and then constructs a 3D image of the target using the THz waves scattered by the target. THz CT is based on geometrical optics and inspired from X-ray CT. THz binary lens tomography uses the frequency-dependent focal-length property of binary lenses to obtain tomographic images of an object. Three-dimensional THz imaging has potential in such applications as non-destructive inspection. The interaction between a coherent THz pulse and an object provides rich information about the object under study; therefore, 3D THz imaging can be used to inspect or characterize dielectric and semiconductor objects. For example, 3D THz imaging has been used to detect and identify the defects inside a Space Shuttle insulation tile.     

太赫兹成像技术在肿瘤检测中的应用

太赫兹(THz)波是频率位于0.1 THz^10 THz的电磁波。因其具有非电离性,以及可与多数生物分子产生共振响应等特性,在生物医学领域有着巨大应用潜力,尤其在肿瘤检测方面。太赫兹成像技术作为生物医学领域一种新的成像技术,吸引国内外多个研究小组对其开展深入研究。本文列举分析了多种太赫兹成像技术在肿瘤检测的应用,其中可分为太赫兹扫描成像、太赫兹层析成像、太赫兹全息成像以及太赫兹近场成像,介绍了这些成像方式的基本原理以及国内外研究现状,最后对太赫兹成像技术在生物领域的未来做出展望。     

Design and experimental verification of terahertz wideband filter based on double-layered metal hole arrays

A terahertz wideband filter based on double layer metal hole arrays is designed in this paper. A metal hole array is perforated on a metal layer with a square array of circular air holes. The transmission characteristics of the electromagnetic waves through the metal hole array can be determined by the accumulation of in-phase scattering, spoof surface plasmon polaritons, and waveguide modes. The transmission spectrum is tuned by adding another identical layer metal hole array, and a wideband filter can be formed accordingly. Samples containing double-layered metal hole arrays were fabricated by micromachining technology. A wideband filter with center frequency located at 0.8 THz and FWHM reaching 400 GHz was experimentally achieved.     

Enhancement of terahertz Smith–Purcell radiation by two electron beams

An approach to the enhancement of terahertz (THz) Smith–Purcell (SP) radiation from an open rectangular grating driven by two electron beams is presented in this paper. In the present work, two electron beams with a velocity separation propagating over the grating are employed. With the help of a two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation, some nonlinear processes from spontaneous emission to superradiant radiation are demonstrated. The simulation results show that the enhancements of SP radiation power, the shortened saturation time, and the lower threshold current can be obtained at an optimum voltage ratio due to the two-beam interaction.     

Nonresonant detection of terahertz radiation in high-electron-mobility transistor structure using InAIAs/InGaAs/InP material systems at room temperature

In this paper, we report on nonresonant detection of terahertz radiation using the rectification mechanism of two-dimensional plasmons in high-electron-mobility transistors using InAIAs/InGaAs/InP material systems. The experiments were performed at room temperature using a Gunn diode operating at 0.30 THz as the THz source. The measured response was dependent on the polarization of the incident THz wave; The device exhibited higher response when the electric-field vector of the incident radiation was directed in the source-drain direction. The 2D spatial distribution image of the transistor responsivity extracted from the measured response shows a clear beam focus centered on the transistor position, which ensures the appropriate coupling of the terahertz radiation to the device. The device also demonstrated excellent sensitivity/noise performances of approximately 125 V/W and approximately 10(-11) W/Hz(0.5) under 0.30 THz radiation.     

Computational terahertz imaging with dispersive objects

We present measurements of optical characteristics of sodium polyacrylate in the terahertz frequency range and discuss how material dispersion affects object visualisation in terahertz imaging. We demonstrate how important is to take into account the material dispersion for phase and relief reconstruction of the investigated object.     

Terahertz narrow-band filter based on rectangle photonic crystal

A terahertz filter with a channel drop cavity and a resonant reflection cavity in a two-dimensional photonic crystal is theoretically proposed. The channel drop cavity is used to trap photons at resonant frequency from the bus waveguide through coupling and emit them to a drop waveguide, while the resonant reflection cavity is used to realize wavelength selective reflection feedback in the bus waveguide. The transmission properties of the terahertz filter are simulated using the finite element method. It is found that a peak with the central frequency of 1.12 THz is existed in the transmission spectrum. The full width at half maximum of the passband is only 5 GHz, and the peak drop efficiency is up to 94.8%.     

Optically tuneable broadband terahertz metamaterials using photosensitive semiconductor material

We present optically tuneable broadband terahertz metamaterials consisting of photosensitive semiconductor material. The characteristics of semiconductor materials are very important for terahertz functional devices, which is strongly dependent on the photoexcited carriers in semiconductor materials. Based on the model of the generation of the carriers in semiconductor materials, the tuneability of the resonance frequency and resonance strength in terahertz metamaterials under the femtosecond laser pulse has been analysed. The experimental results of the transmissivities of several bare semiconductor materials show that GaAs semiconductor could be a potential candidate for broadband terahertz functional devices design. Moreover, the simulation results of the resonance frequency increase with the increase of the laser fluence, whereas the resonance strength near the resonance frequency is significantly weakened with the increase of the laser fluence. Meanwhile, the modulation depth can be reached approximately 90% at 1.24 THz. Our proposed broadband tuneable terahertz metamaterials have numerous potential applications, including terahertz modulator, absorber and switches.     

Inexpensive detector for terahertz imaging

Glow discharge plasma, derived from direct-current gas breakdown, is investigated in order to realize an inexpensive terahertz (THz) room-temperature detector. Preliminary results for THz radiation show that glow discharge indicator lamps as room-temperature detectors yield good responsivity and noise-equivalent power. Development of a focal plane array (FPA) using such devices as detectors is advantageous since the cost of a glow discharge detector is approximately $0.2-$0.5 per lamp, and the FPA images will be diffraction limited. The detection mechanism of the glow discharge detector is found to be the enhanced diffusion current, which causes the glow discharge detector bias current to decrease when exposed to THz radiation.     

Design of subwavelength corrugated metal waveguides for slow waves at terahertz frequencies

A subwavelength corrugated metal waveguide is studied and designed to slow down the light at terahertz frequencies. The waveguide consists of two parallel thin metal slabs with periodic corrugations on their inner boundaries. Compared with structures based on engineered surface plasmons, the proposed structure has smaller group velocity dispersion and lower propagation loss. The origin of the slow wave is also explained.     

Absolute distance measurement of optically rough objects using asynchronous-optical-sampling terahertz impulse ranging

We report on a real-time terahertz (THz) impulse ranging (IPR) system based on a combination of time-of-flight measurement of pulsed THz radiation and the asynchronous-optical-sampling (ASOPS) technique. The insensitivity of THz radiation to optical scattering enables the detection of various objects having optically rough surfaces. The temporal magnification capability unique to ASOPS achieves precise distance measurements of a stationary target at an accuracy of -551 μm and a resolution of 113 μm. Furthermore, ASOPS THz IPR is effectively applied to real-time distance measurements of a moving target at a scan rate of 10 Hz. Finally, we demonstrate the application of ASOPS THz IPR to a shape measurement of an optically rough surface and a thickness measurement of a paint film, showing the promise of further expanding the application scope of ASOPS THz IPR. The reported method will become a powerful tool for nondestructive inspection of large-scale structures.     

标量衍射理论模拟蚀刻衍射光栅

讨论用于光通信的集成波分复用/解复用器件蚀刻衍射光栅（EDG）,它是波分复用光通信的核心器件的一种。EDG基于平面波导的Rowland圆结构,光栅面是平面。光栅的每一个齿面都垂直于齿面中心和输入波导端点的连线。基于标量散射场满足的Hemholtz方程,推导出Rowland圆上场分布的精确表达式。利用这个模型对设计好的器件参数进行了模块形状、谱响应、色散等复用性能的模拟,并对插入损耗和串扰进行了简要分析。