In situ probing of mode-locked vertical-external-cavity-surface-emitting lasers.

We utilize an asynchronous optical sampling technique to study the gain dynamics of vertical-external-cavity-surface-emitting lasers (VECSELs) under mode-locked operation. This allows for an in situ characterization of the gain depletion and recovery over nanoseconds with femtosecond-scale resolution. Our method allows for a more direct study of intracavity gain dynamics than traditional pump/probe measurements.

Low-threshold bidirectional air lasing.

Air lasing refers to the remote optical pumping of the constituents of ambient air that results in a directional laserlike emission from the pumped region. Intense current investigations of this concept are motivated by the potential applications in remote atmospheric sensing. Different approaches to air lasing are being investigated, but, so far, only the approach based on dissociation and resonant two-photon pumping of air molecules by deep-UV laser pulses has produced measurable lasing energies in real air and in the backward direction, which is of the most relevance for applications.

Evolution of multi-mode operation in vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers.

The longitudinal multi-mode emission in a vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser is investigated using both single shot streak camera measurements and interferometric measurement techniques. For this, the laser is operated in the single- and two-color emission regime using both an etalon and a free-running configuration without etalon, respectively. The laser emission is analyzed with respect to pump power and output coupling losses for a long and for a short resonator.

Narrow linewidth single-frequency terahertz source based on difference frequency generation of vertical-external-cavity source-emitting lasers in an external resonance cavity.

We demonstrate a continuous wave, single-frequency terahertz (THz) source emitting 1.9 THz. The linewidth is less than 100 kHz and the generated THz output power exceeds 100 μW.

Terahertz waveguide prism.

We present an easily fabricated waveguide prism for the terahertz (THz) frequency range. The prism is made of polypropylene and uses waveguide dispersion to spatially separate frequencies over the range of 0.1 to 0.

High-Q terahertz bandpass filters based on coherently interfering metasurface reflections.

We present compact and easy-to-realize terahertz bandpass filters with Q values in the order of 500. The filters are based on coherently interfering reflections from two parallel metasurfaces applied to the boundaries of a semiconductor disk. By changing the thickness of the semiconductor disk and the dimensions of the metasurface structures, the filter can be optimized for various terahertz frequencies.

Polarization sensitive terahertz imaging: detection of birefringence and optical axis.

We present a practicable way to take advantage of the spectral information contained in a broadband terahertz pulse for the determination of birefringence and orientation of the optical axis in a glass fiber reinforced polymer with a single measurement. Our setup employs circularly polarized terahertz waves and a polarization-sensitive detector to measure both components of the electromagnetic field simultaneously. The anisotropic optical parameters are obtained from an analysis of the phase and frequency resolved components of the terahertz field.

Spectrum to space transformed fast terahertz imaging.

We present an imaging technique in which the broadband frequency information of terahertz (THz) pulses is transformed into spatial resolution. Efficient blazed diffractive gratings spread the individual frequency components over a wide and defined spatial range and f-theta optics are employed to focus the individual components onto a one-dimensional image-line. Measuring the time domain waveform of the THz waves allows therefore for a direct reconstruction of spatial sample characteristics as the spatial domain information is encoded in the terahertz spectrum.

Optically controlled terahertz beam steering and imaging.

We propose a spatial modulator for terahertz waves based on light induced electron plasma in photo-active semiconductors. A two-dimensional array of computer controlled light is used to create free carries in bulk silicon, which results in a spatial modulation of the transmission at terahertz frequencies. This method not only exhibits a remarkable modulation depth over a broad frequency range but also allows for an optically controlled beam steering of terahertz waves by inducing virtual grating structures.

Terahertz Brewster lenses.

Typical lenses suffer from Fresnel reflections at their surfaces, reducing the transmitted power and leading to interference phenomena. While antireflection coatings can efficiently suppress these reflections for a small frequency window, broadband antireflection coatings remain challenging. In this paper, we report on the simulation and experimental investigation of Brewster lenses in the THz-range.

Paper terahertz wave plates.

We present a low-cost terahertz wave plate based on form birefringence fabricated using ordinary paper. Measurements of the transfer function of the wave plate between polarizers closely agree with predictions based on the measured complex indices of refraction of the effective medium. For the design frequency, the dependence on wave plate angle also agrees with theory.

Grating-based wavelength control of single- and two-color vertical-external-cavity-surface-emitting lasers.

Wide wavelength tunability of single- and two-color operating vertical-external-cavity-surface-emitting lasers (VECSELs) is demonstrated. Employing an external feedback based on a diffractive grating outside the cavity of a narrow-line single-color VECSEL allows for a continuous tuning of the emission wavelength over 10 nm. Employing a dual-feedback-configuration for tunable two-color emission, a tunability of the difference frequency between the two lasing wavelengths from 300 gigahertz to up to 3.

Real-time terahertz material characterization by numerical three-dimensional optimization.

Terahertz time domain spectroscopy allows for characterization of dielectrics even in cases where the samples thickness is unknown. However, a parameter extraction over a broad frequency range with simultaneous thickness determination is time consuming using conventional algorithms due to the large number of optimization steps. In this paper we present a novel method to extract the data.

Terahertz lenses made by compression molding of micropowders.

We present a simple and versatile approach for fabricating terahertz lenses based on compression molding of micropowder polymer materials in a tabletop hydraulic press. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, a biconvex lens shape is calculated using a ray-tracing algorithm and lenses based on two different micropowders are fabricated. As the powder materials have different refractive indices, the resulting lenses share the same geometric shape but differ in their respective focal length.

Terahertz quasi-time-domain spectroscopy imaging.

We demonstrate terahertz (THz) imaging with a quasi-time-domain spectrometer. This type of THz system is inexpensive, compact, and relatively easy to set up. Beating the simultaneously emitted equidistant modes of a compact diode laser allows for analysis of samples at multiple frequencies with a single measurement.

Room temperature continuous wave milliwatt terahertz source.

We present a continuous wave terahertz source based on intracavity difference frequency generation within a dual color vertical external cavity surface emitting laser. Using a nonlinear crystal with a surface emitting phase matching scheme allows for high conversion efficiencies. Due to the tunability of the dual mode spacing, the entire spectral range of the terahertz gap can be covered.

Compact diode-laser-based system for continuous-wave and quasi-time-domain terahertz spectroscopy.

We present a multimodal diode-laser-based terahertz (THz) spectroscopy system. In contrast to other laser-based THz setups that provide either cw or broadband THz generation, our configuration combines the advantages of both approaches. Our low complexity setup enables fast switching from cw difference frequency generation to broadband THz emission, enabling sophisticated data analysis like much more complex time domain spectroscopy systems.

Hybrid continuous wave terahertz spectroscopy.

We propose a hybrid architecture for continuous wave terahertz spectroscopy employing a conventional two color photomixing system combined with a quasi time domain spectrometer, driven by a multimode laser diode. This approach fuses high spectral intensity with broadband frequency information and overcomes the ambiguity of standard continuous wave thickness measurements.

Terahertz imaging: applications and perspectives.

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, and especially THz imaging, holds large potential in the field of nondestructive, contact-free testing. The ongoing advances in the development of THz systems, as well as the appearance of the first related commercial products, indicate that large-scale market introduction of THz systems is rapidly approaching. We review selected industrial applications for THz systems, comprising inline monitoring of compounding processes, plastic weld joint inspection, birefringence analysis of fiber-reinforced components, water distribution monitoring in polymers and plants, as well as quality inspection of food products employing both continuous wave and pulsed THz systems.

Terahertz form birefringence.

We report on one-dimensional photonic crystals designed to exhibit a pronounced form birefringence at terahertz frequencies. The crystals can be used as volumetric quasioptical elements for a broad frequency range. Theoretical simulations of the dielectric parameters of these structures are presented as well as measurement results of a polymeric crystal that exhibit a birefringence of 0.

Molecular properties of liquid crystals in the terahertz frequency range.

We report on a first experimental study of the molecular properties of nematic liquid crystals in the terahertz range. In the beginning, we extract the frequency and temperature dependent refractive index and absorption coefficient of the cyanobiphenyls 5CB, 6CB and 7CB from terahertz time domain spectroscopy measurements and investigate the impact of the alkyl chain length on the macroscopic liquid crystal characteristics, focusing especially on the pronounced odd and even effect. Next, we deduce the principle polarizabilities and the order parameter S by applying Vuks' approximation and Haller's approach.

Terahertz quasi time domain spectroscopy.

It is shown theoretically and experimentally that for the specific case of an equidistant frequency spacing of semiconductor laser modes, signals similar to terahertz (THz) time domain spectroscopy (TDS) can be detected in a standard photomixer setup. This quasi TDS system approach enables for both, time and frequency domain data processing. Measurements with a THz system which is based on a low cost multimode laser diode are presented.

Terahertz birefringence for orientation analysis.

A terahertz time-domain spectrometer is employed to study different birefringent samples. We develop a method based on the temporal waveform and the impulse response of a sample to map the anisotropy of their inner structure. To validate our algorithm, we study the polarization-affecting structure of various classes of materials such as crystals, plastics, and natural products.