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: 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=762565
• 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.

光子学的基本研究正在启用Terahertz（THZ）频率（〜0.1-10 THz）的现实世界应用，这些频率具有独特的属性，这些特性在非破坏性评估（NDE）中推动了令人兴奋的新发展；在THZ频率下，大多数干燥的非金属材料都是透明的，可以使用亚MM空间分辨率，传输对水分含量敏感，并且可以揭示内部结构。 因此，THZ NDE在许多方面都是X射线射击的竞争技术，但没有相关的健康风险。 了解基本的THZ相互作用至关重要，以便可以开发出支持应用程序的适当模型。 在我的研究实验室中，我们研究了对木材产品的应用，开发了相互作用模型，以同时测量木材密度，水分含量和纤维结构，这是行业采用该技术的最终目标。 我们将通过扩展过去的工作来实现这一目标，重点是开发适合廉价，CW，Sub-Thz成像摄像机的新模型。 为了进一步进行THZ-NDE研究，将开发一个单金摄像机（用于成像研究），从而通过消除需要一系列检测器（成本良好）或栅格扫描（没有移动部件）来大大降低THZ成像的成本。 目的是开发一个适合探索从海底船体检查到扫描尺寸木材的广泛应用的稳健平台。了解半导体中THZ磁场的基本相互作用变得重要和相关，因为电子设备将界限推向了较大的电场，以更高的速度将边界推向了越来越多的电场尺寸。 在过去的十年中，〜mV/cm聚焦的THZ领域已被可用，这使得THZ非线性光学元件的新领域可以迅速发展。 我们正在开发一个能够在低频（<1 THz）下生产强大的THZ场的独特来源，以利用载流子的巨大浮动潜力，从而使我们能够有效地将载体动力学驱动到非线性方案中。 我们计划完善我们的来源，并使用它将批量非线性响应与与半导体中的载体相关的批量非线性响应分开，以追求THZ非线性光学器件。 这项研究将提高我的研究实验室的质量和能力，具体解决（i）不断变化的商业可用技术的景观，以及（ii）对成功采用该技术所需的新兴应用的科学研究的需求又将依靠我们（iii）在基本层面上对THZ-MATTER互动的仔细研究。 它将推进THZ技术应用，增强创新和行业采用的最新技术，并将导致适合对加拿大经济重要的木制产品和光子产业的新技术。