Low-cost fiber-based broadband terahertz source

时间分辨太赫兹（THz）光谱学领域在过去几年中发展非常迅速。这种非侵入性光学技术，基于在中远红外区域产生光辐射，可以揭示有关各种材料和化合物性质的有价值的信息。这些信息是肉眼无法感知的，最精密的照相机甚至x射线扫描仪也无法感知。由于太赫兹跨越了一个理想的能量范围，可以与包括声子、电子和分子振动在内的各种基本激发相互作用，因此它对表征技术的适应在许多科学和工业领域具有巨大的应用潜力，如医疗诊断、环境科学、半导体设备和安全。对于所有这些应用，使用宽太赫兹源进行光谱分析，其光谱范围超过4太赫兹的典型限制，提供了对关键特征共振的访问，从而增强了对许多化合物的识别能力。这些系统的高成本和体积是目前限制宽带时间分辨太赫兹光谱仪市场的主要因素。OZ光学公司和渥太华大学m<s:1>纳德博士的研究小组合作的目标是基于低成本激光器和成熟的光纤技术，开发一种更经济、更紧凑的宽带太赫兹源。将他们的专业知识结合在这个提案中，将允许动态研究和增强商业应用开发的潜力。

The field of time-resolved terahertz (THz) spectroscopy has grown very rapidly over the last few years. This non-invasive optical technique, based on the generation of optical radiation in the mid- and far-infrared region, can reveal valuable information about the nature of various materials and compounds. This information cannot be perceived by the naked eye, nor by the most sophisticated cameras or even x-ray scanners. Since THz spans an ideal energy range to interact with various elementary excitations including phonons, electrons and molecular vibrations, its adaptation to characterization technologies has an enormous potential of application in many scientific and industrial sectors as diverse as medical diagnostics, environmental science, semiconductors devices and security. For all these applications, the use of a broad THz source for spectroscopy, which extends spectrally beyond the typical limit of 4 THz, provides access to key signature resonances resulting in enhanced identification capabilities for many compounds. The high costs and bulkiness of these systems are the main factors currently limiting the market for broadband time-resolved THz spectrometer. The goal of this collaboration between OZ Optics and the research group of Dr. Ménard at uOttawa is to work on a more affordable, compact and broadband THz source based on low-cost lasers and proven optical fiber technology. Combining their expertise in this proposal will allow dynamic research and enhanced potential for the development of commercial applications.