Course overview: The course will provide an introduction to the fundamentals of THz technology and science to master students. The course begins with an introduction to THz radiation and current status of terahertz research. A review on the interaction of electromagnetic waves with matter will be discussed followed by the elementary excitation in matter during interaction with THz. Various techniques to generate THz radiation will be presented with an emphasis on pulsed power sources. Detection techniques are equally important in studying the terahertz radiation. We will look at the detection schemes based on electronics and photonics and compare them. Attention will also be paid to selecting suitable optics for THz and materials suitable for THz transmission. Finally, we will also look at some potential applications of THz in the field of imaging, spectroscopy, etc.
Detailed Course plan
Chapter 1: Introduction to Terahertz waves
THz research – review, relevance to today's technology, interaction of em waves with matter, excitations in materials due to thz radiation
Chapter2: Generation mechanisms - PCAs, Optical rectification, tilted pulse front, non-linear current, free electron lasers
Chapter 3: Detection – Optics for THz, single photon detector, micro bolometer, Golay cell
Pyroelectric detector, diode detectors, electro-optic detector
Chapter 4 : Potential Applications- THz spectroscopy, Imaging, Non-linear optics etc.