ABSTRACT
We have measured the terahertz response of oriented Germanium nanowires using ultrafast optical-pump terahertz-probe spectroscopy. We present results on the time, frequency, and polarization dependence of the terahertz response. Our results indicate intraband energy relaxation times of photoexcited carriers in the 1.5-2.0 ps range, carrier density dependent interband electron-hole recombination times in the 75-125 ps range, and carrier momentum scattering rates in the 60-90 fs range. Additionally, the terahertz response of the nanowires is strongly polarization dependent despite the subwavelength dimensions of the nanowires. The differential terahertz transmission is found to be large when the field is polarized parallel to the nanowires and very small when the field is polarized perpendicular to the nanowires. This polarization dependence of the terahertz response can be explained in terms of the induced depolarization fields and the resulting magnitudes of the surface plasmon frequencies.
Subject(s)
Germanium/chemistry , Nanowires/chemistry , Optical Devices , Terahertz SpectroscopyABSTRACT
We review our recent progress on the fabrication of near-infrared photodetectors based on intersubband transitions in AlN/GaN superlattice structures. Such devices were first demonstrated in 2003, and have since then seen a quite substantial development both in terms of detector responsivity and high speed operation. Nowadays, the most impressive results include characterization up to 3 GHz using a directly modulated semiconductor laser and up to 13.3 GHz using an ultra-short pulse solid state laser.
ABSTRACT
We demonstrate microfluidic devices for terahertz spectroscopy of biomolecules in aqueous solutions. The devices are fabricated out of a plastic material that is both mechanically rigid and optically transparent with near-zero dispersion in the terahertz frequency range. Using a lowpower terahertz time-domain spectrometer, we experimentally measure the absorption spectra of the vibrational modes of bovine serum albumin from 0.5 - 2.5 THz and find good agreement with previously reported data obtained using large-volume solutions and a high-power free-electron laser. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of performing high sensitivity terahertz spectroscopy of biomolecules in aqueous solutions with detectable molecular quantities as small as 10 picomoles using microfluidic devices.
Subject(s)
Biopolymers/analysis , Microfluidics/instrumentation , Spectrophotometry, Infrared/instrumentation , Water/chemistry , Biopolymers/chemistry , Equipment Design , Equipment Failure Analysis , Infrared Rays , Microfluidics/methods , Microwaves , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Spectrophotometry, Infrared/methodsABSTRACT
The ultrafast relaxation and recombination dynamics of photogenerated electrons and holes in epitaxial graphene are studied using optical-pump terahertz-probe spectroscopy. The conductivity in graphene at terahertz frequencies depends on the carrier concentration as well as the carrier distribution in energy. Time-resolved studies of the conductivity can therefore be used to probe the dynamics associated with carrier intraband relaxation and interband recombination. We report the electron-hole recombination times in epitaxial graphene for the first time. Our results show that carrier cooling occurs on subpicosecond time scales and that interband recombination times are carrier density dependent.
