Non-destructive testing of materials by time-domain terahertz (THz) imaging

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Terahertz (THz) waves cover the electromagnetic region from 100 GHz to 15 THz, thus bridging the gap between microwaves and infrared (IR) light. For long time, this frequency range has been unexplored due to a lack of THz source, the so-called `THz frequency gap'. Today's brightness of THz light opens up the door for novel applications ranging from spectroscopic imaging to ultra-high speed short-range telecommunication devices. To directly impact the industry, however, simple generation and detection schemes are still awaiting to be discovering that will enable turnkey applications (e.g. for efficient, non-destructive evaluations at THz frequency). The anticipate approach is to combine different technologies, such as electronics and plasmonics, for realizing novel THz systems that offer orders of magnitude improvements in performance at lower cost than actual systems. This will enable THz radiation to be used to obtain important physical data that are not accessible using X-ray or infrared radiation.****The proposed research is to investigate time-resolved imaging techniques for probing the ultrafast interactions of light-matter using electromagnetic waves of THz frequency. To accomplish this task, we will develop new imaging tools to manipulate THz waves using fiber-laser technologies, precise synchronization systems and up-conversion detection methods. The main objective of the project described here is to build non-destructive techniques using THz waves in order to characterize the composition and the structure of various materials in order to control (in time) their fabrication process and quality. Among other things, these THz pulses will be used to probe novel materials such as the AC conductivity of printable electronics (PE) devices for quality control toward a benchmarking process for industrial THz applications.****The technology and methodology developed by the PI will be transferable to various fields, such as plastic production manufacturing, biosensing and food industry. These investigations provide a glimpse into the potential of this exciting field, and hold promise for the next generation of engineers who desire to be at the front edge of THz technologies.**