Terahertz Technologies

Semiconductor materials are used to convert radiation from solid-state lasers (operating in the near-infrared) into the far-infrared region of the spectrum (also called the THz region). A THz spectrometer based on a frequency-converted ultrafast laser is used to perform basic absorption spectroscopy measurements on target materials. This instrument has identified absorption lines which can be used for selective detection of crystalline species (such as explosives) even when those species are surrounded by other materials (such as mailing envelopes). Ultrafast THz laser systems are used to measure the thickness of paint films, the cure state of adhesives, and the geometry of buried conductors. Portable instruments based on this technology are being developed for the control of manufacturing processes in the defense industry..