Terahertz Sensing Technology

The last research frontier in high frequency electronics now lies in the so-called THz (or submillimeter-wave) regime between the traditional microwave and infrared domains. Significant scientific and technical challenges within the terahertz (THz) frequency regime have recently motivated an array of new research activities. During the last few years, major research programs have emerged that are focused on advancing the state of the art in THz frequency electronic technology and on investigating novel applications of THz frequency sensing. This book serves as a detailed reference for the new THz frequency technological advances that are emerging across a wide spectrum of sensing and technology areas.

The last research frontier in high frequency electronics lies in the so-called terahertz (or submillimeter wave) regime, between the traditional microwave and the infrared domains. Significant scientific and technical challenges within the terahertz (THz) frequency regime have recently motivated an array of new research activities. During the last few years, major research programs have emerged that are focused on advancing the state of the art in THz frequency electronic technology and on investigating novel applications of THz frequency sensing. This book provides a detailed review of the new THz frequency technological developments that are emerging across a wide spectrum of sensing and technology areas.Volume II presents cutting edge results in two primary areas: (1) research that is attempting to establish THz-frequency sensing as a new characterization tool for chemical, biological and semiconductor materials, and (2) theoretical and experimental efforts to define new device concepts within the ?THz gap?.

The recent development of easy-to-use sources and detectors of terahertz radiation has enabled growth in applications of terahertz (Thz) imaging and sensing. This vastly adaptable technology offers great potential across a wide range of areas, and the Handbook of terahertz technology for imaging, sensing and communications explores the fundamental principles, important developments and key applications emerging in this exciting field. Part one provides an authoritative introduction to the fundamentals of terahertz technology for imaging, sensing and communications. The generation, detection and emission of waves are discussed alongside fundamental aspects of surface plasmon polaritons, terahertz near-field imaging and sensing, room temperature terahertz detectors and terahertz wireless communications. Part two goes on to discuss recent progress and such novel techniques in terahertz technology as terahertz bio-sensing, array imagers, and resonant field enhancement of terahertz waves. Fiber-coupled time-domain spectroscopy systems (THz-TDS), terahertz photomixer systems, terahertz nanotechnology, frequency metrology and semiconductor material development for terahertz applications are all reviewed. Finally, applications of terahertz technology are explored in part three, including applications in tomographic imaging and material spectroscopy, art conservation, and the aerospace, wood products, semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries. With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, the Handbook of terahertz technology for imaging, sensing and communications is an authoritative guide to the field for laser engineers, manufacturers of sensing devices and imaging equipment, security companies, the military, professionals working in process monitoring, and academics interested in this field. Examines techniques for the generation and detection of terahertz waves Discusses material development for terahertz applications Explores applications in tomographic imaging, art conservation and the pharmaceutical and aerospace industries

The last research frontier in high frequency electronics now lies in the so-called THz (or submillimeter-wave) regime between the traditional microwave and infrared domains. Significant scientific and technical challenges within the terahertz (THz) frequency regime have recently motivated an array of new research activities. During the last few years, major research programs have emerged that are focused on advancing the state of the art in THz frequency electronic technology and on investigating novel applications of THz frequency sensing. This book serves as a detailed reference for the new THz frequency technological advances that are emerging across a wide spectrum of sensing and technology areas.

The last research frontier in high frequency electronics lies in the so-called terahertz (or submillimeter wave) regime, between the traditional microwave and the infrared domains. Significant scientific and technical challenges within the terahertz (THz) frequency regime have recently motivated an array of new research activities. During the last few years, major research programs have emerged that are focused on advancing the state of the art in THz frequency electronic technology and on investigating novel applications of THz frequency sensing. This book provides a detailed review of the new THz frequency technological developments that are emerging across a wide spectrum of sensing and technology areas. Volume II presents cutting edge results in two primary areas: (1) research that is attempting to establish THz-frequency sensing as a new characterization tool for chemical, biological and semiconductor materials, and (2) theoretical and experimental efforts to define new device concepts within the OC THz gapOCO. Contents: THz-Frequency Spectroscopic Sensing of DNA and Related Biological Materials (T Globus et al.); Spectroscopy with Electronic Terahertz Techniques for Chemical and Biological Sensing (M K Choi et al.); Terahertz Applications to Biomolecular Sensing (A G Markelz & S E Whitmire); Characteristics of Nano-Scale Composites at THz and IR Spectral Regions (J F Federici & H Grebel); Fundamentals of Terrestrial Millimeter-Wave and THz Remote Sensing (E R Brown); Terahertz Emission Using Quantum Dots and Microcavities (G S Solomon et al.); Terahertz Transport in Semiconductor Quantum Structures (S J Allen & J S Scott); Advanced Theory of Instability in Tunneling Nanostructures (D L Woolard et al.); Wigner Function Simulations of Quantum DeviceOCoCircuits Interactions (H L Grubin & R C Buggeln); Continuous-Wave Terahertz Spectroscopy of Plasmas and Biomolecules (D F Plusquellic et al.). Readership: Undergraduates, graduate students, academics and researchers in engineering and science."

Want an overview of where the technology of terahertz detection has been going? Here it is. The technology has largely been developed around expensive and bulky femtosecond laser systems but, as described in this book, advances in semiconductor superlattice technology are leading to compact "electronic" sources such as the quantum cascade laser, two-terminal "Gunn" type oscillators and even a THz frequency amplifier. These advances towards electronic (as opposed to optical) THz systems mean that the technology will become portable and much less costly.

The last research frontier in high frequency electronics lies in the so-called terahertz (or submillimeter wave) regime, between the traditional microwave and the infrared domains. Significant scientific and technical challenges within the terahertz (THz) frequency regime have recently motivated an array of new research activities. During the last few years, major research programs have emerged that are focused on advancing the state of the art in THz frequency electronic technology and on investigating novel applications of THz frequency sensing. This book provides a detailed review of the new THz frequency technological developments that are emerging across a wide spectrum of sensing and technology areas.Volume II presents cutting edge results in two primary areas: (1) research that is attempting to establish THz-frequency sensing as a new characterization tool for chemical, biological and semiconductor materials, and (2) theoretical and experimental efforts to define new device concepts within the “THz gap”.

The inherent advantages and potential payoffs of the terahertz (THz) regime for military and security applications serve as an important driver for interest in new THz-related science and technology. In particular, the very rapid growth in more recent years is arguably most closely linked to the potential payoffs of THz sensing and imaging (THz-S&I). This book presents some of the leading fundamental research efforts towards the realization of practical THz-S&I capabilities for military and security applications. Relevant subjects include theoretical prediction and/or measurement of THz spectroscopic phenomenon in solid-state materials such as high explosives (e.g. HMX, PETN, RDX, TNT, etc.), carbon-fiber composites, biological agents (e.g. DNA, RNA, proteins, amino acids) and organic-semiconductor nanostructures. Individual papers also address the effective utilization of state-of-the-art THz-frequency technology in military and security relevant scenarios such as standoff S&I, screening of packages and personnel, and perimeter defense. Technical papers introduce novel devices and/or concepts that enhance THz source and detector performance, enabling completely new types of sensor functionality at THz frequency (e.g. detection at nanoscale/molecular levels), and defining new and innovative sensing modalities (e.g. remote personnel identification) for defense and security. Therefore, the collective research presented here represents a valuable source of information on the evolving field of THz-S&I for military and security applications. Sample Chapter(s). Foreword (106 KB). Chapter 1: Development of Computational Methodologies for the Prediction and Analysis of Solid-State Terahertz Spectra (1,347 KB). Contents: Fire Damage on Carbon Fiber Materials Characterized by THz Waves (N Karpowicz et al.); Fingerprinting Insulins in the Spectral Region from Mid-IR to THz (R Song et al.); Ambient Air Used as the Nonlinear Media for THz Wave Generation (X Xie et al.); Time Domain Terahertz Imaging of Threats in Luggage and Personnel (D Zimdars et al.); Designed Self-Organization for Molecular Optoelectronic Sensors (M Norton); An Optically-Triggered I-RTD Hybrid THz Oscillator Design (D Woolard et al.); New Technique to Suppress Sidelobe Clutter in Perimeter Security Systems (G W Webb et al.); Remote Identification of Foreign Subjects (A Sokolnikov); and other papers. Readership: University researchers in electrical engineering, physics, chemistry, biology; students and small business efforts in high-frequency electronics and sensors; as a supplement for graduate courses.