太赫兹辐射源的研究进展

太赫兹技术在物理、化学等基础研究学科,以及安全检查、空间通信等应用学科都具有重要的研究价值和应用前景,而太赫兹辐射源正是太赫兹技术发展的关键部分.概述了基于激光光学技术、真空电子技术和超快激光技术产生太赫兹辐射的常用方法和主要特点,以及目前的研究状况,并对这各种太赫兹波辐射源的发展方向进行了展望.     

基于光学参量效应的太赫兹辐射源及其研究进展

太赫兹频段是电磁波谱中极具科学价值但尚待完全开发的电磁辐射区域,其中,太赫兹辐射源是影响太赫兹频段能否被广泛应用的关键器件,也是太赫兹技术研究领域的前沿问题.基于光参量效应产生太赫兹波的方法具有非线性转换效率高、波长在一定范围内连续可调、易小型化、能够在室温下稳定运转等优点,近年来得到了广泛的关注.文章介绍了光参量效应...     

太赫兹宽谱源的研究进展

太赫兹宽谱源是指能够产生较宽频谱覆盖范围的太赫兹辐射源,近年来其相关研究受到越来越多的关注。太赫兹宽谱具有能量低,穿透性强和频谱覆盖范围宽等优点,在生物和医学成像、安全检查、化学成分分析等领域具有很大的潜在应用价值,因此研究太赫兹宽谱源对于推动上述领域的进步具有重要的科学意义。本文基于光学辐射源、电子学辐射源、热辐射源这3种太赫兹宽谱源,从产生机理、研究进展以及未来发展趋势对这3种方法进行分析和总结,对比了各自的优、缺点和应用范围。     

太赫兹返波振荡器的应用及研究进展

太赫兹返波振荡器是一种功率高、宽带可调谐、可在常温下连续波工作的辐射源。本文介绍了太赫兹返波振荡器在太赫兹技术研究中的应用需求及其发展现状,说明返波振荡器在太赫兹技术研究中的重要作用和前景,并对太赫兹返波振荡器的最新动态、技术难点进行了分析,可供该种管型研究的参考。     

耦合级联光学差频高效产生太赫兹波的研究

本文提出了一种耦合级联光学差频（CCDFG）高效产生太赫兹波的方法。利用耦合光学参量效应产生的双信号光和双闲频光在同一块非周期极化铌酸锂（APPLN）晶体中分别激励一套级联光学差频（CDFG）并产生太赫兹波。频率、偏振方向、传播方向完全相同的太赫兹波将两套CDFG强烈地耦合在一起。CCDFG可以利用两套CDFG共同产生并放大太赫兹波,而产生的太赫兹波又反过来增强CCDFG,进一步驱动CCDFG向更高阶斯托克斯差频扩展,从而大幅提高了太赫兹波能量转换效率。经计算可知,在100 K和300 K温度下,CCDFG产生太赫兹波的能量转换效率分别为37%和4.6%,比相同条件下双信号光和双闲频光激励的两套CDFG的能量转换效率之和分别提高了40%和60%以上。     

基于光学技术的太赫兹相干辐射源研究

由于太赫兹辐射的独特性质和潜在的应用价值, 国内外关于太赫兹波的产生和探测的研究正呈现日益繁荣的景象, 目前太赫兹相干辐射源的研究已成为太赫兹技术领域最重要的前沿课题之一。介绍了产生太赫兹相干辐射的三种主要途径：一是光学技术, 它从高频向低频发展, 其代表为太赫兹激光器, 如气体激光器、半导体激光器和量子级联激光器等; 二是电子学技术, 它由低频向高频发展, 如微波管、固体微波源等; 三是光电子技术, 其频率由1 THz向两侧展宽, 采用超快激光脉冲触发产生太赫兹脉冲。设计了基于光学技术的太赫兹相干辐射系统, 该装置根据气体振转能级跃迁原理, 采用高压直流激励方式产生受激辐射, 波导管谐振腔体, 工作气体为N2, CD4和D2, 经过优化设计, 预计可以产生1.54 THz和1.58 THz的波连续输出。     

采用CMOS太赫兹波探测器的成像系统

太赫兹波成像技术在生物医疗和安全检测等领域具有广阔的应用前景。针对新一代信息技术对便携式太赫兹波成像设备的需求，设计了基于CMOS太赫兹波探测器的成像系统。该系统包括一款CMOS太赫兹波探测器、片外模数转换器（ADC）、FPGA数字信号处理器、二位步进机、四个抛物面镜和太赫兹波辐射源等。CMOS太赫兹波探测器集成了片上贴片天线以及作为检波元件的NMOS晶体管，探测器由180 nm标准CMOS工艺制成。太赫兹波探测器的输出被片外模数转换器（ADC）采集并转换为数字信号，该数字信号被FPGA采集并传输到电脑上成像。所有上述元件均被装备在印刷线路板（PCB）上以减小系统体积。该系统实现了透射式太赫兹波扫描成像而无需斩波-锁相技术，并给出在860 GHz的太赫兹波照射下隐藏在信封内部金属的成像结果。     

太赫兹波通信技术研究现状及展望

太赫兹波是介于微波与光波之间的尚未被完全开发利用的频段,基于太赫兹波的通信技术将是下一代通信技术的重点发展方向,并具有广阔的应用前景。首先介绍了太赫兹波通信的基本特性、太赫兹波通信系统的架构组成、以及太赫兹波通信的关键技术,然后对国内外太赫兹波通信的辐射源技术、信号调制技术、信号探测技术以及通信系统的研究进展情况进行了重点阐述,最后对太赫兹通信技术研发过程中面,l盏的困难进行了分析,并对未来太赫兹波通信技术的应用进行了展望。     

非共线相位匹配太赫兹波参量振荡器级联参量过程的研究

在铌酸锂晶体非共线相位匹配太赫兹波参量振荡器中观察到了级联光学参量效应.实验中测量到了一阶、二阶和三阶斯托克斯光.通过分析一阶、二阶和三阶斯托克斯光谱发现相邻阶斯托克斯光频率差相等,表明在太赫兹波的产生过程中发生了级联光学参量效应.在高阶级联光学参量过程中,一个泵浦光子可以产生多个太赫兹光子,表明在太赫兹波产生过程中量子转换效率会有效提高.     

用于空间领域的太赫兹技术研究概况

作为电磁波中从红外光到微波的过渡区,太赫兹波所具有的独特性能已得到了人们的广泛认识。随着太赫兹辐射源、太赫兹探测器等单元技术研究的不断成熟,美国、欧洲和日本已率先将其应用于空间天文观测、深空探测和对地气象环境监测等领域。重点总结了这些应用中的技术发展情况,并简要分析了太赫兹雷达与通信技术的研究状况和应用前景。     

基于非线性光学差频及参量效应的太赫兹源

基于非线性光学技术的THz源具有其独特的性能和优点,将基于非线性光学差频原理和光学参量效应,从理论上研究并分析THz波与抽运光、闲频光及相位匹配角之间的关系,得到THz波输出的条件和范围,并设计出宽波段连续可调的THz源。以调QNd∶YAG激光器和光学参量振荡器(OPO)作为抽运源,以GaSe和MgO∶LiNbO3晶体作为差频非线性晶体,根据相位匹配理论及光学参量效应,搭建两套THz波产生系统。其中,基于光学参量效应的THz辐射源有效地产生出THz信号。     

产生太赫兹辐射源的Nd:YAG双波长准连续激光器

产生太赫兹波辐射的方法可分为电子学和光子学两大类.在光子学领域,非线性光学差频方法是获取高功率、低成本、便携式、室温运转太赫兹波的主要方法之一.实验研究了激光二极管(LD)端面抽运Nd:YAG1319 nm/1338 nm双波长准连续线偏振运转激光器,理论计算了输出双波长在非线性晶体DAST(4-N,N-dimethylamino-4'-N-'methyl-stilbazolium tosylate)中差频产生太赫兹辐射的平均功率.在重复频率50 kHz时,双波长激光平均输出功率达到2.22 W,斜率效率12.72%,线偏振度0.983,脉冲宽度71.91 ns.M2因子仅为1.165,不稳定性小于0.487%.根据非线性差频理论,计算出可在1 mm厚DAST晶体中获得4.71 mw的3.23 THz高相干性太赫兹波辐射.这两条非常接近的谱线为进一步通过非线性光学差频方法获得高相干性太赫兹波提供了理论基础.     

基于差频产生太赫兹的中远红外非线性光学晶体

文章介绍了ZnGeP2,GaSe,CdSe,GaAs,GaP,DAST等几种用于太赫兹辐射的中远红外非线性光学晶体的非线性性能,总结了利用它们通过非线性光学差频产生太赫兹方面的最近进展.最后给出了获得较高转换效率和能量的太赫兹波输出的非线性光学晶体应具备的条件.     

双波长波片导致的脉冲分离对双色场辐射太赫兹波的影响

由于群速度的偏振依赖性,飞秒激光脉冲入射到双波长波片时出射光脉冲会分离为两个具有一定时间延迟的飞秒激光脉冲。从实验和理论模拟两方面研究了双波长波片导致的脉冲分离现象对飞秒激光双色场成丝辐射太赫兹(THz)波效率的影响。实验结果表明,脉冲分离导致的时间延迟会降低双色场辐射THz波的效率,可通过零级双波长波片缩短分离脉冲之间的时间延迟,有效提高THz波的产生效率。     

Nonlinear Terahertz Generation: Chiral and Achiral Meta-Atom Coupling

Generation and manipulation of terahertz (THz) waves are of vital importance for advancing THz technology. Nonlinear metasurfaces allow effective integration of both processes into a single compact device. However, such existing THz devices commonly rely on utilizing a single meta-atom, which has fixed THz generation properties and thus limits the range of achievable functionalities. Here, it is demonstrate how coupling between different meta-atoms within the unit-cell can be used as a degree of freedom for controlling nonlinear THz generation, where achiral coupling provides full control over the amplitude of the generated THz field, while chiral coupling makes the THz generation sensitive to the handedness of the pump polarization. In particular, chiral coupling allows the realization of multiplexed pump-handedness-selective nonlinear metasurfaces, which is illustrated experimentally by selectively generating THz beams with different orbital angular momentum with a single nonlinear metasurface. This approach provides opportunities for developing various integrated nonlinear THz devices.     

Terahertz Phonon Mode Engineering of Highly Efficient Organic Terahertz Generators

For terahertz (THz) wave generators based on organic electrooptic crystals, their intrinsic phonon modes are playing an essential role in THz generation characteristics. Here, this study proposes an effective design strategy for THz phonon mode engineering of organic electrooptic salt crystals for efficient optical‐to‐THz frequency conversion. To reduce phonon‐mode intensity, strongly electronegative trifluoromethyl group acting as strong hydrogen‐bond acceptor is incorporated into molecular anions. New 2‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxystyryl)‐1‐methylquinolinium 4‐(trifluoromethyl)benzenesulfonate (HMQ‐4TFS) crystals exhibit a relatively small absorption coefficient in the THz spectral range between 0.5 and 4 THz, which is attributed to suppressed molecular vibrations due to strong hydrogen bonds involving the 4TFS anion. In addition, HMQ‐4TFS crystals possess a very large macroscopic optical nonlinearity, comparable (or even higher) to benchmark stilbazolium crystals. Based on the low‐intensity THz phonon modes and the large optical nonlinearity, a 0.37 mm thick HMQ‐4TFS crystal pumped with 150 fs infrared laser pulses facilitates very efficient THz wave generation by optical rectification, delivering 23 times higher peak‐to‐peak THz electric field than the widely used standard inorganic ZnTe crystal (1.0 mm thick) and a broader spectral bandwidth. Therefore, strongly electronegative groups introduced into molecular salt electrooptic crystals provide a very promising design strategy of THz phonon mode engineering for developing intense broadband THz sources.     

改变天线泵浦光斑尺寸对太赫兹辐射影响的研究

从实验上研究了光电导天线电极之间激光光斑大小对太赫兹波产生的影响。另外,理论模拟了激光功率密度与太赫兹波辐射强度之间的关系,与实验结果非常吻合。泵浦光激光功率密度的增加能够显著的提高太赫兹波辐射强度,但是当超过一定值后会趋于饱和,此时若继续减小光斑尺寸,激光功率密度的增加不会使太赫兹产生继续增强。但是,太赫兹波却会随着光斑尺寸的减小而变弱。     

New Class of Efficient Terahertz Generators: Effective Terahertz Spectral Filling by Complementary Tandem Configuration of Nonlinear Organic Crystals

Intense table‐top terahertz (THz) sources, which have progressed tremendously in the last decade, are becoming more important for advanced THz science to study light–matter interactions and subsequent applications. Nonlinear optical organic crystals exhibit great potential for intense broadband THz wave generation due to their large nonlinearities and advantageous phase‐matching characteristics. However, the phonon‐induced absorption of most organic crystals in the THz region leads to undesired modulation of the spectrum and limits the THz output efficiency. To overcome such drawbacks, phonon‐mode engineering by modification of molecular structures is suggested, but intrinsic limitations still remain. Here, an efficient alternative approach has been recently proposed for generating intense broadband THz waves based on a tandem configuration that combines two complementary nonlinear organic crystals. Such configuration compensates for the spectral gap of the generated THz waves mainly caused by phonon absorption and additionally enhances the optical‐to‐THz conversion efficiency. The proposed organic tandem generator indicates a substantial enhancement of the peak‐to‐peak THz electric field due to effective spectral filling at phonon absorption gaps. As a result, such tandem configuration provides a versatile platform to generate gapless broadband THz spectra with suppressed phonon absorption and contributes to advancing the development of intense broadband coherent THz sources.     

Yellow‐Colored Electro‐Optic Crystals as Intense Terahertz Wave Sources

This study presents newly developed yellow‐colored organic electro‐optic crystals to provide high terahertz (THz) wave generation efficiency. Compared with currently existing red‐ or orange‐colored electro‐optic crystals, which are used for most benchmark organic THz sources, yellow‐colored crystals have additional superior advantages for THz wave generation, e.g., higher transparency in the visible wavelength range with accompanying different phase‐matching possibilities. The new yellow‐colored crystals consist of a highly nonlinear optical 4‐(4‐hydroxystyryl)‐1‐methylpyridinium (OHP) cation, with a relatively short wavelength of maximal absorption at 390 nm in solution, and various halogen‐substituted benzenesulfonate anions, with strong secondary‐bonding ability. OHP 4‐chlorobenzenesulfonate (OHP‐CBS) crystals exhibit large off‐resonant macroscopic optical nonlinearity and high transparency, with a cut‐off wavelength for solid‐state absorption near 490 nm. OHP‐CBS crystals provide excellent THz wave generation characteristics based on optical rectification. A 0.53 mm thick OHP‐CBS crystal delivers ≈27 times higher optical‐to‐THz conversion efficiency and a much broader spectrum bandwidth compared with the standard 1.0 mm thick ZnTe at 1300 nm pumping. Particularly, compared with a benchmark organic quinolinium crystal with a similar thickness of 0.55 mm, OHP‐CBS crystals exhibit 1.7 times higher optical‐to‐THz conversion efficiency, and show a significantly different THz spectral shape.