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

GHz 示波器通过单脉冲太赫兹光谱监测超快现象

• 批准号: RTI-2023-00252
• 负责人: Ménard, JeanMichel
• 金额: $ 9.4万
• 依托单位: University of Ottawa
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=762638
• 关键词: GHz; oscilloscope; monitor; fast; phenomena

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.

慢动作电影不仅令人着迷，还可以让我们了解快速而复杂的现象的复杂细节，如果将每一帧中的图像替换为太赫兹（THz）电磁波，这样的电影可以揭示大范围的低波。 -能量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低能振动模式中识别分子。要求的 GHz 示波器是实现单脉冲太赫兹表征系统的关键仪器，能够在难以访问的 µs 时间尺度上追踪分子共振。该实验概念基于色散傅里叶变换技术，其中光脉冲分散在其中。公里长的光纤并用快速光电二极管进行检测，通过所需的 GHz 示波器进行分析，以提取其各自的光谱强度，当这与组合技术相结合时，就形成了单脉冲太赫兹光谱仪。具有将太赫兹波形编码到啁啾近红外脉冲的光谱分量上的非线性效应，这种系统可以监测具有快速和不可再现动态的独特现象，其灵敏度和分辨率最终受到示波器性能的限制。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，例如酶催化循环的太赫兹动力学进展。该领域的研究可能会带来革命性的应用，例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，单脉冲太赫兹光谱仪已经在申请人的实验室中成功进行了演示。借来的 GHz 示波器，使太赫兹光谱能够以前所未有的速度进行，总结这项工作的手稿正在审查中，及时获得 GHz 示波器对于开展这项研究至关重要。租用类似的 GHz 示波器（每年 55,000 美元）的成本既不经济也不可持续。单脉冲实验需要数月的工作，并且需要全职使用该设备。 ，特别是要完成具有最高影响力的项目，因此，所需的 GHz 示波器对于申请人在渥太华大学继续进行单脉冲太赫兹研究项目至关重要；由于使用该装置进行色散傅里叶变换光谱，他的单脉冲太赫兹计划无法继续，所需的 GHz 示波器将在每个单脉冲实验（> 80 小时/月）中使用，并将在太赫兹 HQP 培训中发挥核心作用。所有学生都会经常使用光子学和材料物理。