GHz oscilloscope to monitor µs-fast phenomena with single-pulse THz spectroscopy

慢动作电影不仅令人着迷，还能让我们了解快速复杂现象中错综复杂的细节。如果每一帧中的图像都被太赫兹（THz）电磁波取代，这样的电影可以揭示大范围的低能共振，帮助我们更好地理解结构，化学或生物过程的内部机制。太赫兹波段位于电磁波谱的深红外区域，已越来越多地用于从分子的低能振动模式中识别分子。所要求的GHz示波器是实现单脉冲THz表征系统的关键仪器，能够在难以访问的μs时间尺度上跟踪分子共振。实验的概念是基于色散傅里叶变换技术，其中光脉冲，分散在一公里长的光纤和快速光电二极管检测，所要求的GHz示波器进行分析，以提取其各自的光谱强度。将该技术与非线性效应相结合，将太赫兹波形编码到啁啾近红外脉冲的光谱分量上，形成了单脉冲太赫兹光谱仪。这样的系统可以监测具有快速和不可再现的动态特性的独特现象，其灵敏度和分辨率最终受到示波器性能的限制。更具体地说，所要求的GHz示波器将使Ménard博士成为第一个探索生物系统中一系列有趣的µs过程的人，例如酶催化循环的THz动力学。这一领域的进展可能导致革命性的应用，如精细化学品和药物的生物催化合成，代谢紊乱的治疗，以及污染水和土壤的生物修复。 最近，单脉冲THz光谱仪已经成功地在申请人的实验室中使用借来的GHz示波器进行了演示，从而可以以前所未有的速度进行THz光谱分析。正在审查一份概述这项工作的手稿。及时采购GHz示波器对于继续推进这一研究计划，同时继续获得动力并抓住新的机遇至关重要。租用类似GHz示波器的费用（55，000美元/年）既不经济也不可持续。单脉冲实验需要几个月的工作，并且需要全职的设备，特别是要完成影响最大的项目。因此，所要求的GHz示波器对于继续申请人在uOttawa的单脉冲THz研究计划至关重要;如果没有使用该单元执行色散傅里叶变换光谱的能力，他的单脉冲THz计划就无法继续。所要求的GHz示波器将用于每个单脉冲实验（>80小时/月），并将在太赫兹光子学和材料物理学的HQP培训中发挥核心作用。所有学生都将经常使用这一仪器。

Slow-motion movies are not only fascinating to watch, they also allow us to understand intricate details of fast and complex phenomena. If the images in each frame are replaced by terahertz (THz) electromagnetic waves, such movies can reveal a large range of low-energy resonances that help us to better understand inner mechanisms of structural, chemical or biological processes. The THz band, located in the deep infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, has been increasingly used to identify molecules from their low-energy vibrational modes. The requested GHz oscilloscope is a critical instrument to implement a single-pulse THz characterization system able to trace molecular resonances on the hard-to-access µs time scale. The experimental concept is based on a dispersive Fourier transform technique in which optical pulses, dispersed in a km-long fiber and detected with a fast photodiode, are analyzed by the requested GHz oscilloscope to extract their individual spectral intensity. A single-pulse THz spectrometer is formed when this technique is combined with a nonlinear effect encoding a THz waveform onto the spectral components of a chirped near-infrared pulse. Such a system can monitor unique phenomena featuring fast and non-reproducible dynamics with a sensitivity and resolution ultimately limited by the performance of the oscilloscope. Most specifically, the requested GHz oscilloscope will allow Dr. Ménard to be the first to explore a range of intriguing µs processes in biological systems, such as the THz dynamics of enzyme catalytic cycles. Advances in this field could lead to revolutionary applications such as biocatalytic syntheses of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals, treatment of metabolic disorders, and bioremediation of contaminated water and soil. Recently, the single-pulse THz spectrometer has already been successively demonstrated in the applicant's lab with a loaned GHz oscilloscope, allowing THz spectroscopy to be performed at unprecedented rates. A manuscript summarizing this work is under review. Timely acquisition of the GHz oscilloscope is crucial to pursue this research program while continuing to gain momentum and seize new opportunities. The cost of renting a similar GHz oscilloscope ($55,000/year) is not economical nor sustainable. Single-pulse experiments require months of work, and the equipment is needed on a full-time basis, especially to complete projects with the highest impact. As such, the requested GHz oscilloscope is essential for the continuation of the applicant's single-pulse THz research program at uOttawa; Without the ability to perform dispersive Fourier transform spectroscopy with this unit, his single-pulse THz program cannot continue. The requested GHz oscilloscope will be used in every single-pulse experiments (>80 hours/month) and will play a central role in the training of HQP in THz photonics and material physics. This instrument will be routinely used by all students.