Time-Domain Terahertz - Toptica

Terahertz WavesThe Final Frontier of theElectromagnetic SpectrumBetween radio waves & infraredThe terahertz range refers to electromagnetic waves with frequencies between 100 GHz and 10 THz, or wavelengths between 3 mmand 30 μm. Light between radio waves and infrared has some unique properties. Terahertz waves can “look inside” plastics and textiles,paper and cardboard. Many biomolecules, proteins, explosives and narcotics also feature characteristic absorption lines – so-calledspectral “fingerprints” – at terahertz frequencies. Unlike X-rays, terahertz waves do not have any ionizing effect and are generallyconsidered biologically innocuous.Closing the terahertz gapFor a long time, it has been difficult to generate intensive, directional terahertz radiation, and the terahertz range was considered thefinal frontier of the electromagnetic spectrum. Now, frequencies between 0.5 and 10 THz have become the domain of laser-basedtechniques. Optoelectronic approaches use either femtosecond lasers or tunable diode lasers. Photomixers, photoconductive switchesor nonlinear crystals convert the near-infrared laser light into terahertz waves, either broadband or spectrally resolved. The terahertz gapis bridged at last.The complete portfolioTOPTICA has been cooperating with researchers in the terahertz arena from day one. As a result, TOPTICA is now the only company inthe world that serves scientists and engineers working with the two most important optoelectronic approaches – pulsed and continuouswave(cw) terahertz generation. Our FemtoFiber TM lasers form the basis of the TeraFlash TM system, a complete time-domain spectroscopyplatform. On the other hand, our tunable DFB diode lasers are the perfect match for GaAs or InGaAs photomixers, as used in ourTeraScan TM frequency-domain systems.