Linear scanning system for THz imaging.

A linear scanning system utilizing constant wave 280 GHz radiation has been developed and characterized. The system comprises a linear array of detectors based on a unique plasma wave approach in terahertz sensing, an impact ionization avalanche transit-time-diode signal generator coupled to a frequency multiplier and an optical system. The performed tests allowed us to estimate the resolution of the system reaching the value of 2.3 mm and to determine the dynamic range of the system to be around 200. The imaging capabilities of the scanner were tested in realistic cases of non-destructive testing and security screening.

Discovery of Two-Dimensional Electromagnetic Plasma Waves.

We report the experimental discovery of "superluminal" electromagnetic 2D plasma waves in the electromagnetic response of a high-quality GaAs/AlGaAs two-dimensional electron system on a dielectric substrate. We measure the plasma wave spectrum on samples with different electron density. It is established that, at large two-dimensional densities, there is a strong hybridization between the plasma and the Fabry-Perot light modes. In the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field, the plasma resonance is shown to split into two modes, each corresponding to a particular sense of circular polarization. Experimental results are found to be in good agreement with the theory.

Drastic Reduction of Plasmon Damping in Two-Dimensional Electron Disks.

In this Letter, plasmon damping has been investigated using resonant microwave absorption of two-dimensional electrons in disks with different diameters. We have found an unexpected drastic reduction of the plasmon damping in the regime of strong retardation. This finding implies large delocalization of the retarded plasmon field outside the plane of the two-dimensional electron system. A universal relationship between the damping of plasmon polariton waves and the retardation parameter is reported.

Novel relativistic plasma excitations in a gated two-dimensional electron system.

The microwave response of a two-dimensional electron system (2DES) covered by a conducting top gate is investigated in the relativistic regime for which the 2D conductivity σ_{2D}>c/2π. Weakly damped plasma waves are excited in the gated region of the 2DES. The frequency and amplitude of the resulting plasma excitations show a very unusual dependence on the magnetic field, conductivity, gate geometry, and separation from the 2DES. We show that such relativistic plasmons survive for temperatures up to 300 K, allowing for new room-temperature microwave and terahertz applications.