• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.229-232
• /
• 2016

Metamaterials operating in the terahertz frequency range show promising potential for use in highly sensitive microbial sensors that are capable of effectively detecting microorganisms in the ambient environment. We were able to detect extremely small numbers of microorganisms by measuring the differential transmission spectra (DTS) of the metamaterial resonances. This was possible because their sizes are on the same scale as the microgaps of the terahertz metamaterials. DTS depend critically on the number of microorganisms placed in the gap area, and their dielectric constant. In addition, these metamaterial microbial sensors are reusable, because the microorganisms can be completely removed by fungicide solution. Finite-difference time-domain simulations successfully reproduce our experimental data.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.97-105
• /
• 2021

The terahertz wave (THz wave) is a band between infrared and microwaves and is defined as an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 0.1 to 10 THz band. THz waves have the property of transmitting nonpolar materials, which the visible light cannot be transmitted, such as ceramics, plastics, and paper; and the photon energy is low, such as several meV. For this reason, non-destructive testing equipment based on THz imaging technology can be applied to the industrial field. Recently, THz imaging technology was applied in wide industrial fields, such as automobiles, batteries, food, medical, and security, and being actively studied. In this paper, we describe the research trends of terahertz imaging technology and experimental results. Furthermore, we summarize the recent commercialized terahertz camera. Finally, we present the research results in the field of the human security scanner system.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.15-17
• /
• 2019

We present terahertz optical properties of $GdBa_2Cu_3O_{7-x}$ (GdBCO) superconducting thin films. GdBCO films with a thickness of about 105 nm were grown on a $LaAlO_3$ (LAO) single crystal substrate using a conventional pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. Using an Ar ion milling system, the thickness of the GdBCO film was reduced to 58 nm, and its surface was also smoothened. Terahertz (THz) transmission spectra through two different GdBCO films are measured over the range between 0.2 and 1.5 THz using THz time domain spectroscopy. Interestingly, the THz transmission of the thinner GdBCO film has been increased to six times larger than that of the thicker one, while the thinner film is still maintaining its superconducting property at below 90 K.

• Current Optics and Photonics
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.370-374
• /
• 2021

Corals are the remains of animals that grow on warm beaches. They have been used as decorative jewels because of their variety of colors, and as medicinal materials for treating cancers, AIDS, and other therapeutic uses because of their chemical elements. Corals are mainly composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and have many air pores, tens to hundreds of micrometers in size. The refractive indices and absorption coefficients of dried sliced staghorn corals are investigated using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. The measured values are similar to those for CaCO₃, as expected. It is observed that a sample with a microstructure formed by air pores can guide terahertz waves. The dispersion, effective index, and loss of the guiding modes of coral core surrounded by five triangular air pores are numerically calculated. The simulated spatial distribution of the electric field of the guide mode at 1.25 THz shows the mode to be tightly confined to the core.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.218-227
• /
• 2024

The tabletop-scale terahertz (THz) light sources using femtosecond laser pulses are primarily based on spatiotemporal changes in electron charge. This review introduces a new scheme where the spin angular momentum of electrons contributes to THz wave generation. By focusing on laser-induced spin current generation in ferromagnets, we review the outstanding characteristics observed in nanometric ferromagnetic/nonmagnetic thin films, including high power, ultra-broadband, and polarization tunability. Additionally, research on various application technologies is introduced, including the development of devices combining semiconductors, large-area THz devices, and flexible THz devices, all based on nanoscale thin films. Through this, the principle of spintronic THz emission can be understood, contributing the advancement of various application studies utilizing electron spin as a next-generation THz optical device.

• ETRI Journal
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.665-674
• /
• 2016

We designed and fabricated a semiconductor optical amplifier-integrated dual-mode laser (SOA-DML) as a compact and widely tunable continuous-wave terahertz (CW THz) beat source, and a pin-photodiode (pin-PD) integrated with a log-periodic planar antenna as a CW THz emitter. The SOA-DML chip consists of two distributed feedback lasers, a phase section for a tunable beat source, an amplifier, and a tapered spot-size converter for high output power and fiber-coupling efficiency. The SOA-DML module exhibits an output power of more than 15 dBm and clear four-wave mixing throughout the entire tuning range. Using integrated micro-heaters, we were able to tune the optical beat frequency from 380 GHz to 1,120 GHz. In addition, the effect of benzocyclobutene polymer in the antenna design of a pin-PD was considered. Furthermore, a dual active photodiode (PD) for high output power was designed, resulting in a 1.7-fold increase in efficiency compared with a single active PD at 220 GHz. Finally, herein we successfully show the feasibility of the CW THz system by demonstrating THz frequency-domain spectroscopy of an ${\alpha}$-lactose pellet using the modularized SOA-DML and a PD emitter.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.119-124
• /
• 2008

In recent years, gradually increasing interest has been directed to the use of terahertz technology in nondestructive testing and non-invasive measurements, and terahertz time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) has become a key technology in such applications. This paper deals with the terahertz pulse generation from cadmium telluride via optical rectification process of femto-second infrared laser pulses. The measured terahertz spectrum is compared with the result of model calculation based on space-time domain nonlinear Maxwell equations for coherent frequency mixing process. The propagation process of terahertz and infra-red pulses in the material as well as the surface interference and free space diffraction effects are also considered. The experimental results are in good agreements with the calculated spectrum.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.200-204
• /
• 2008

Coherent tunable terahertz generation was demonstrated in periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate crystal via difference frequency generation of femtosecond laser pulses. Simultaneous forward and backward terahertz radiations were obtained around 1.35 and 0.63 THz, respectively at low temperature. By cooling the crystal to reduce losses caused by phonon absorptions, the generated THz bandwidth was as narrow as 23GHz at the center frequency of 0.63 THz. The measurement result of temperature-dependent showed gradual intensity increase of the generated terahertz pulse and red shift of the center frequency as the temperature decrease from 291 to 143 K, but insignificant reduction of the spectral bandwidth. Furthermore, the stoichiometric crystal was very suitable for the suppression of THz loss at low temperature compared to the congruent $LiNbO_3$ crystal.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.60 no.1
• /
• pp.28-33
• /
• 2016

The spiropyran is a typical material having photodegradation properties in the process of photochromism. The spiropyran has been utilized in various applications such as optical switch, optical memories, and biosensor because of its remarkable stability, fast responsive time, stronger color change, and photo-induced controllability. However, the spriropyran is photodegraded by the repetitive optical irradiation. The photodegradation of spiropyran have been investigated by using UV-Visible spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Raman spectroscopy. Herein, the properties of spiropyran were characterized by using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) in the terahertz frequency region. In terahertz region, the measured absorbance of spiropyran was increased due to the photodegradation induced by the repetitive UV irradiation. The absorbance tendency of spiropyran in the terahertz frequency region was compared with that in the visible region, and they were completely opposite to each other.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.8-12
• /
• 2022

Analysis of defect signals inside glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) was conducted through deconvolution of terahertz (THz) wave. The GFRP specimen with internal defects was manufactured and the THz signal was measured through the reflection mode of the Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS) system. For deconvolution of the measured THz signal, the peak position of the THz signal was amplified through Normalized Cross Correlation (NCC) of the incident and detected THz signals. The position and intensity of the amplified peak were extracted as impulse, and the extracted signal of the impulse position was removed from the THz original signal. By repeating the process, the critical impulses, which represent boundary of the specimen, were derived. The deconvolution process was verified by confirming that the original THz signal without noise can be restored through the convolution of the critical impulses and the incident signal. From the derived critical impulses, the thickness of the internal defect in the GFRP was calculated through the detection time of impulses within 15 ㎛ accuracy.