Magnetic Properties and THz Emission from Co/CoO/Pt and Ni/NiO/Pt Trilayers.

THz radiation emitted by ferromagnetic/non-magnetic bilayers is a new emergent field in ultra-fast spin physics phenomena with a lot of potential for technological applications in the terahertz (THz) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The role of antiferromagnetic layers in the THz emission process is being heavily investigated at the moment. In this work, we fabricate trilayers in the form of Co/CoO/Pt and Ni/NiO/Pt with the aim of studying the magnetic properties and probing the role of very thin antiferromagnetic interlayers like NiO and CoO in transporting ultrafast spin current.

Optimum excitation wavelength and photon energy threshold for spintronic terahertz emission from Fe/Pt bilayer.

Terahertz emission from ferromagnetic/non-magnetic spintronic heterostructures had been demonstrated as pump wavelength-independent. We report, however, the pump wavelength dependence of terahertz emission from an optimized Fe/Pt spintronic bilayer on MgO substrate. Maximum terahertz generation per total pump power was observed in the 1200- to 1800-nm pump wavelength range, and a marked decrease in the terahertz emission efficiency beyond 2500 nm (pump photon energies <0.

THz emission from Fe/Pt spintronic emitters with L1-FePt alloyed interface.

Recent developments in nanomagnetism and spintronics have enabled the use of ultrafast spin physics for terahertz (THz) emission. Spintronic THz emitters, consisting of ferromagnetic (FM)/non-magnetic (NM) thin film heterostructures, have demonstrated impressive properties for the use in THz spectroscopy and have great potential in scientific and industrial applications. In this work, we focus on the impact of the FM/NM interface on the THz emission by investigating Fe/Pt bilayers with engineered interfaces.

Modification of spintronic terahertz emitter performance through defect engineering.

Spintronic ferromagnetic/non-magnetic heterostructures are novel sources for the generation of THz radiation based on spin-to-charge conversion in the layers. The key technological and scientific challenge of THz spintronic emitters is to increase their intensity and frequency bandwidth. Our work reveals the factors to engineer spintronic Terahertz generation by introducing the scattering lifetime and the interface transmission for spin polarized, non-equilibrium electrons.

Optimized Spintronic Terahertz Emitters Based on Epitaxial Grown Fe/Pt Layer Structures.

We report on generation of pulsed broadband terahertz radiation utilizing the inverse spin hall effect in Fe/Pt bilayers on MgO and sapphire substrates. The emitter was optimized with respect to layer thickness, growth parameters, substrates and geometrical arrangement. The experimentally determined optimum layer thicknesses were in qualitative agreement with simulations of the spin current induced in the ferromagnetic layer.

In-plane focusing of terahertz surface waves on a gradient index metamaterial film.

We designed and implemented a gradient index metasurface for in-plane focusing of confined terahertz (THz) surface waves. We measured the spatial propagation of the surface waves by two-dimensional mapping of the complex electric field using a THz near-field spectroscope. The surface waves were focused to a diameter of 500 μm after a focal length of approximately 2 mm.

Step-scan time-domain terahertz magneto-spectroscopy.

We present a novel approach for terahertz time-domain spectroscopy of magneto-optic phenomena. The setup used in this work combines a tabletop pulsed magnet and a standard terahertz time-domain spectroscopy system. The approach is based on repetitive operation of the pulsed magnet and step-wise increment of the delay time of the time-domain spectroscopy system.

Hybridization induced transparency in composites of metamaterials and atomic media.

We report hybridization induced transparency (HIT) in a composite medium consisting of a metamaterial and a dielectric. We develop an analytic model that explains HIT by coherent coupling between the hybridized local fields of the metamaterial and the dielectric or an atomic system in general. In a proof-of-principle experiment, we evidence HIT in a split ring resonator metamaterial that is coupled to α-lactose monohydrate.

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy of gases, liquids, and solids.

The techniques and methods employed in the spectroscopic characterization of gases, liquids, and solids in the terahertz frequency range are reviewed. Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy is applied to address a broadband frequency range between 100 GHz and 5 THz with a sub-10 GHz frequency resolution. The unique spectral absorption features measured can be efficiently used in material identification and sensing.

THz triangulation and stand-off measurement of the refractive index.

We have constructed a pulsed THz imaging system based on the triangulation method. The system is capable of stand-off measurements, especially of retrieving the refractive index in a non-tactile manner even if the thickness of the object is unknown. The distance between emitter and imaged object for the presented measurements was 1.

Compact fiber-coupled terahertz spectroscopy system pumped at 800 nm wavelength.

Photonic terahertz (THz) technology using femtosecond (fs) lasers has a great potential in a wide range of applications, such as non-destructive testing of objects or spectroscopic identification of chemical substances. For industrial purposes, a THz system has to be compact and easily implementable into the particular application. Therefore, fiber-coupled THz systems are the key to a widespread use of THz technology.

Combless broadband terahertz generation with conventional laser diodes.

We present a novel technique to generate a continuous, combless broadband Terahertz spectrum with conventional low-cost laser diodes. A standard time-domain spectroscopy system using photoconductive antennas is pumped by the output of two tunable diode lasers. Using fine tuning for one laser and fine and coarse tuning for the second laser, difference frequency generation results in a continuous broadband THz spectrum.

Metamaterial-based gradient index lens with strong focusing in the THz frequency range.

The development of innovative terahertz (THz) imaging systems has recently moved in the focus of scientific efforts due to the ability to screen substances through textiles or plastics. The invention of THz imaging systems with high spatial resolution is of increasing interest for applications in the realms of quality control, spectroscopy in dusty environment and security inspections. To realize compact THz imaging systems with high spatial resolution it is necessary to develop lenses of minimized thickness that still allow one to focus THz radiation to small spot diameters with low optical aberrations.

High-speed terahertz time-domain spectroscopy of cyclotron resonance in pulsed magnetic field.

We present time-resolved cyclotron resonance spectra of holes in p-Ge measured during single magnetic field pulses by using a rapid-scanning, fiber-coupled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy system. The key component of the system is a rotating monolithic delay line featuring four helicoid mirror surfaces. It allows measurements of THz spectra at up to 250 Hz repetition rate.

Sensitivity increase for coating thickness determination using THz waveguides.

We report on layer thickness determination down to a thickness of 2.5 microns using terahertz waveguide spectroscopy. Compared to typical single-pass transmission measurements in the time domain, the effective THz pulse delay is considerably increased for a given layer thickness by using the high filling factor of the THz waveguide.

Coherent electro-optical detection of terahertz radiation from an optical parametric oscillator.

We report the realization of coherent electro-optical detection of nanosecond terahertz (THz) pulses from an optical parametric oscillator, which is pumped by a Q-switched nanosecond Nd:YVO4 laser at 1064 nm and emits at approximately 1.5 THz. The beam profile and wavefront of the THz beam at focus are electro-optically characterized toward the realization of a real-time THz camera.

Comment on "Superwide-band negative refraction of a symmetrical E-shaped metamaterial with two electromagnetic resonances".

The metamaterial presented by Yan [Phys. Rev. E 77, 056604 (2008)] is claimed to exhibit a superwide band of negative refraction.

Experimental and numerical studies of terahertz surface waves on a thin metamaterial film.

We present experimental and numerical studies of localized terahertz surface waves on a subwavelength-thick metamaterial film consisting of in-plane split-ring resonators. A simple and intuitive model is derived that describes the propagation of surface waves as guided modes in a waveguide filled with a Lorentz-like medium. The effective medium model allows us to deduce the dispersion relation of the surface waves, in excellent agreement with the numerical data obtained from 3D full-wave calculations.

A pulsed THz imaging system with a line focus and a balanced 1-D detection scheme with two industrial CCD line-scan cameras.

We present a pulsed THz Imaging System with a line focus intended to speed up measurements. A balanced 1-D detection scheme working with two industrial line-scan cameras is used. The instrument is implemented without the need for an amplified laser system, increasing the industrial applicability.

Highly selective terahertz bandpass filters based on trapped mode excitation.

We present two types of metamaterial-based spectral bandpass filters for the terahertz (THz) frequency range. The metamaterials are specifically designed to operate for waves at normal incidence and to be independent of the field polarization. The functional structures are embedded in films of benzocyclobutene (BCB) resulting in large-area, free-standing and flexible membranes with low intrinsic loss.

Nanosecond terahertz optical parametric oscillator with a novel quasi phase matching scheme in lithium niobate.

We present an optical parametric oscillator pumped by a single mode Q-switched nanosecond Nd:YVO(4) laser for terahertz generation in periodically poled lithium niobate with a new phase matching scheme. This new method leads to an emission of terahertz radiation close to the Cherenkov angle and to a parallel propagation of the pump and signal wave. The emission frequency of this novel source is chosen by the poling period to 1.

Polarization-independent active metamaterial for high-frequency terahertz modulation.

We present a polarization-independent metamaterial design for the construction of electrically tunable terahertz (THz) devices. The implemented structure consists of an array of gold crosses fabricated on top of an n-doped gallium arsenide (GaAs) layer. Utilizing THz time-domain spectroscopy, we show that the electric resonance and thus the transmission properties of the cross structure can be tuned by an externally applied bias voltage.

Negative index bulk metamaterial at terahertz frequencies.

We present a bulk metamaterial with negative refractive index in the terahertz frequency range. The structure is composed of pairs of metallic crosses embedded in Benzocyclobutene (BCB). The design is specifically chosen to provide a low-loss, free-standing material which operates under normal incidence and independently of the polarization of the incident radiation.

Origin of magnetic field enhancement in the generation of terahertz radiation from semiconductor surfaces.

We present a theory of the magnetic field enhancement of terahertz (THz) emission from photogenerated carriers in the surface depletion region of a semiconductor. A combination of the Drude-Lorentz model for the carrier dynamics with an appropriate solution of the radiation problem is sufficient to explain the strong B -field enhancement in THz radiation that has been observed experimentally. The effect arises primarily from the increased radiation efficiency of transient currents flowing in the plane of the surface.

Generation of tunable narrow-band surface-emitted terahertz radiation in periodically poled lithium niobate.

Generation of tunable narrow-band terahertz (THz) radiation perpendicular to the surface of periodically poled lithium niobate by optical rectification of femtosecond pulses is reported. The generated THz radiation can be tuned by use of different poling periods and different observation angles, limited only by the available bandwidth of the pump pulse. Typical bandwidths were 50-100 GHz, depending on the collection angle and the number of periods involved.