THz source development for THz nonlinear optics and industrial applications

太赫兹非线性光学和工业应用的太赫兹源开发

• 批准号: RGPIN-2017-05826
• 负责人: Reid, Matthew
• 金额: $ 1.53万
• 依托单位: University of Northern British Columbia
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=711830
• 关键词: THz; source; development; nonlinear; optics

Fundamental research in photonics is enabling real-world applications at Terahertz (THz) frequencies (~0.1-10 THz), which have unique properties driving exciting new developments in non-destructive evaluation (NDE); at THz frequencies, most dry non-metallic materials are transparent, sub-mm spatial resolution is possible, transmission is sensitive to moisture content, and internal structure can be revealed. THz NDE is therefore a competitive technology to X-rays in many ways, but without the associated health risks. It is critical to understand fundamental THz interactions, so that appropriate models can be developed supporting applications. In my research lab, we study applications to wood products, developing interaction models that allow simultaneous measurements of wood density, moisture content, and fibre structure, with the ultimate goal of industry adoption of the technology. We will accomplish this through extending our past work, with an emphasis on developing new models appropriate for inexpensive, cw, sub-THz imaging cameras that are becoming available. To further THz-NDE research, a single-pixel camera will be developed (for imaging studies), significantly reducing the cost of THz imaging by removing the need for an array of detectors (cost-prohibitive) or raster scanning (no moving parts). The goal is to develop a robust platform suitable for exploring a broad range of applications from submarine hull inspection to scanning dimensional lumber. Understanding fundamental interactions of THz fields in semiconductors is becoming important and relevant as electronic devices push the boundaries to ever-smaller sizes, using larger electric fields at higher speeds. Over the past decade, ~MV/cm focused THz fields have become available, which has allowed a new field of THz nonlinear optics to develop rapidly. We are developing a unique source capable of producing strong THz fields at low frequency (<1 THz) to exploit the large ponderomotive potential for carriers, allowing us to efficiently drive carrier dynamics into nonlinear regimes. We plan to refine our source, and use it to separate the bulk nonlinear response from that related to carriers in semiconductors to pursue THz nonlinear optics. This research will improve the quality and capability of my research lab, specifically addressing (i) the changing landscape of commercially available technologies suitable for industrial applications, and (ii) the need for scientific study of emerging applications required for successful industry adoption of the technology, which in turn will rely on our (iii) careful study of THz-matter interactions at a fundamental level. It will advance the state-of-the art in applications of THz technology, enhancing innovation and industry adoption, and will lead to new technologies appropriate for the wood products and photonics industries that are economically important to Canada.

光子学的基础研究正在太赫兹(THz)频率(约0.1-10 THz)下实现现实世界的应用，该频率具有独特的特性，推动了无损评估(NDE)领域令人兴奋的新发展；在THz频率下，大多数干燥的非金属材料是透明的，可以实现亚毫米的空间分辨率，透射率对水分含量很敏感，并且可以揭示内部结构。因此，太赫兹无损探伤在许多方面都是一项与X射线竞争的技术，但没有相关的健康风险。了解基本的太赫兹相互作用是至关重要的，这样才能开发出支持应用程序的适当模型。 在我的研究实验室，我们研究木制品的应用，开发交互模型，允许同时测量木材密度、含水率和纤维结构，最终目标是行业采用该技术。我们将通过扩展我们过去的工作来实现这一点，重点是开发适用于即将上市的廉价、连续波、亚太赫兹成像相机的新型号。为了进一步开展太赫兹无损检测研究，将开发一种单像素相机(用于成像研究)，通过消除对探测器阵列(成本高昂)或栅格扫描(没有移动部件)的需要，显著降低太赫兹成像的成本。其目标是开发一个坚固的平台，适合探索从潜艇船体检查到扫描尺寸木材的广泛应用。 随着电子设备以更高的速度使用更大的电场，将边界推向更小的尺寸，了解半导体中THz场的基本相互作用变得重要和相关。在过去的十年里，~mV/cm的聚焦太赫兹光场已经成为可能，这使得太赫兹非线性光学的一个新领域得到了迅速的发展。我们正在开发一种独特的源，能够在低频(&lt；1 THz)产生强大的THz场，以开发载波的巨大重量动能潜力，使我们能够有效地将载波动力学带入非线性区域。我们计划改进我们的光源，并利用它来分离半导体中与载流子有关的整体非线性响应，以追求THz非线性光学。 这项研究将提高我的研究实验室的质量和能力，特别是解决(I)适用于工业应用的商业可用技术的不断变化的格局，以及(Ii)对成功采用该技术所需的新兴应用进行科学研究的必要性，这反过来将取决于我们(Iii)在基础水平上仔细研究太赫兹与物质的相互作用。它将推动太赫兹技术应用的最先进水平，促进创新和行业采用，并将产生适用于对加拿大具有重要经济意义的木制品和光电子行业的新技术。