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. We observe a rapid depletion of the gain on the timescale of the intracavity pulse. Afterward, a rapid recovery over a few picoseconds due to intraband scattering and carrier heating takes place, followed by a long recovery attributed to the continuous supply of carriers by the pump laser.

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. However, the emission had a high pumping threshold, in hundreds of GW/cm^{2}. We demonstrate that the threshold can be virtually eliminated through predissociation of air molecules with an additional nanosecond laser. We use a single tunable pump laser system to generate backward-propagating lasing in both oxygen and nitrogen in air, with energies of up to 1 µJ per pulse.

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. The THz source is based on parametric difference frequency generation within a nonlinear crystal located in an optical enhancement cavity. Two single-frequency vertical-external-cavity source-emitting lasers with emission wavelengths spaced by 6.8 nm are phase locked to the external cavity and provide pump photons for the nonlinear downconversion. It is demonstrated that the THz source can be used as a local oscillator to drive a receiver used in astronomy applications.

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 0.7 THz. The diffraction properties of the prism were determined using electromagnetic field simulations and the waveguide parameters were optimized to maximize frequency dispersion. Angular-dependent measurements of two prisms designs were obtained in a terahertz time-domain goniometer setup. An excellent match between simulation and measurement was found. The prism can be used as a dispersive element in novel THz systems for a variety of applications.

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. Moreover, a precise tuning of the resonance frequency is possible via the temperature of the structure or its angle with respect to the propagation direction.

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. We observe a steep increase of emission bandwidth close to the laser threshold and monitor the transition between longitudinal single- and multi-mode operation. Additionally, the results indicate that a stable two-color operation is related to a sufficiently high number of oscillating longitudinal modes within each color.

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. This method shows a high tolerance against the skew of the detection axes and is also independent of a reference measurement.

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. We will demonstrate terahertz imaging on selected samples with an improvement in acquisition speed up to two orders of magnitude.

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. In addition, we analyze the possibility of all-optically controlled terahertz imaging.

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 3.5 terahertz is demonstrated.

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. By employing a three dimensional optimization algorithm the calculation effort is significantly reduced while preserving the same accuracy level as conventional approaches. The presented method is even fast enough to be used in imaging applications.

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. The focusing properties of the lenses are evaluated by transversal and sagittal beam profile measurements in a fiber-coupled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy system, confirming the excellent imaging qualities of the compression molded lenses.

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. Thus, this technique merges the potential of terahertz time-domain spectrometers with the simplicity of continuous wave lasers. Multiple imaging applications and stability issues are discussed.

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.

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. These lenses can be operated under the Brewster angle, ensuring reflection-free transmission of p-polarized light in an extremely broad spectral range. Experimental proof of the excellent focusing capabilities of the Brewster lenses is given by frequency and spatially resolved focus plane measurements using a fiber-coupled THz-TDS system.

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 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 0.25 at 300 GHz. As a potential application, the device is exemplarily used as terahertz wave plate.

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.

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. On this basis, we calculate the main polarizabilities along the longitudinal and transverse axis and link the observed terahertz properties to the molecular structure of the liquid crystals.