Optimization and characterization of sources for terahertz radiation and their applications

太赫兹频率辐射（发生在红外/微波边界）是电磁频谱中相对未开发的部分，主要是由于技术不发达。 脉冲太赫兹辐射的产生和检测现在适合工业开发，并为令人兴奋的新研究铺平了道路。 本提案描述了一个多方面的研究计划，以研究太赫兹辐射的产生，检测和应用，涵盖基础科学到工业相关研究。 该计划有三个组成部分：（i）在高级激光光源（ALLS）上产生非常高功率的太赫兹脉冲的合作努力，以及随后在高强度太赫兹辐射与物质相互作用的研究中的使用，（ii）这些相互作用以及太赫兹产生过程的建模，以及（iii）研究太赫兹技术的潜在工业用途。ALLS正在开发太赫兹辐射，预计在不久的将来将产生创世界纪录的脉冲太赫兹辐射水平，允许进行以前不可能的基础研究。 太赫兹发射过程的建模将在ALLS开发的源的优化中发挥关键作用。 这将有助于推动发射器设计的创新，允许更高功率的太赫兹脉冲，这将有助于保持加拿大在这一高度活跃的研究领域的国际竞争力。 建模对于指导未来的实验也很重要。木材在红外线、光学和紫外线波长下是不透明的。 最成功的木材和木制品成像是在X射线频率下进行的，但X射线对健康的危害限制了其应用。 木材在太赫兹频率范围（亚毫米波长辐射）内是透明的，允许这种尺寸和更大尺寸的特征的透射成像。 该研究计划旨在开发技术，使加拿大木材产品行业受益，这对该国具有重要的经济意义。

Terahertz frequency radiation (which occurs at the infrared/microwave boundary) is a relatively unexploited portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, primarily as a consequence of underdeveloped technology.  The generation and detection of pulsed terahertz radiation is now suitable for exploitation by industry, and is paving the way for exciting new research.   The present proposal describes a multifaceted research program to study the generation, detection and applications of terahertz radiation that spans fundamental science through to industrially relevant research.  There are three components to this program: (i) a collaborative effort for the generation of very-high-power terahertz pulses at the Advanced Laser Light Source (ALLS), and subsequent use in studies of the interaction of high-intensity terahertz radiation with matter, (ii) modeling of these interactions as well as terahertz generation processes, and (iii) examination of potential industrial uses of terahertz technology .The development of terahertz radiation at ALLS is underway, and expected to produce world-record levels of pulsed terahertz radiation in the very near future, allowing for fundamental studies not previously possible.  Modeling of the terahertz emission processes will play a key role in the optimization of sources being developed at ALLS.  This will help to drive innovations in emitter design, allowing for even higher power terahertz pulses, which will help keep Canada internationally competitive in this highly active field of research.  Modeling is also important to direct future experiments.Wood is opaque at infrared, optical and UV wavelengths.  The most successful imaging of wood and wood products has been done at X-ray frequencies, but X-rays are a health hazard which limits their application.  Wood is transparent in the terahertz-frequency range (sub-mm wavelength radiation) allowing transmission imaging of features this size and larger.  This research program aims to develop technology to benefit the Canadian wood products industry, which is economically important to this country.