Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy
Scientific Video Protocols(2023)
Abstract
The terahertz band of the electromagnetic spectrum was the least explored region of the spectrum prior to the introduction of the technique known as time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) in the late 1980s. Since its introduction, terahertz TDS has enabled the study of a plethora of physical, chemical and biological phenomena; from excitons and Cooper pairs in solids to the hydration dynamics of biomolecules. Terahertz techniques can be used to non-destructively analyse samples from diverse fields, such as art conservation and industrial quality control, whereas terahertz imaging can act as a sensitive hydration probe in biological tissue and other materials. This article focuses on TDS, a unique hybrid between microwave and optical technologies. By measuring the time-dependent electric field waveform, rather than the intensity of the electromagnetic wave, one directly accesses the spectral amplitude and phase of the electric field. As a result, both the refractive index and absorption coefficient (or the complex dielectric function) of a sample can be measured simultaneously. The technique is based on the generation and detection of single-cycle pulses of radiation, enabling measurements with sub-picosecond time resolution. This Primer summarizes the basics of such systems and gives a few illustrative application examples.
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Key words
spectroscopy,time-domain
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