Dev of a Terahertz Spectroscopy System for Combustion Measurements

We propose to design, develop, and build the critical transmitter and receiver modules for a new class of spectroscopic systems that will operate in the 0.1-10 THz regime (3-333cm*-1 wavenumbers). This has traditionally been a very difficult spectral regime to access due to the lack of good sources and detectors.Also called "T-Rays", by the Bell Labs inventors, these wavelengths now make it possible to investigate phenomena with a completely new spectral tool. 1-D, 2-D, and time-resolved imaging have already been demonstrated, and computed tomography would also be possible for cross-sectional viewing. Application areas include combustion research, chemistry, gas and liquid mixture analysis, imaging through opaque, dry materials, security inspections, package inspection, quality control of filled objects, medical imaging to name a few.The transmitter and receiver modules are based on laser-driven photoconductive switches that radiate THz wavelengths via specialized directional antenna structures. The modules will be fiber-coupled for ease of use, and will enable the user to work in either the time domain or frequency domain. These modeules make it possible to do THz spectroscopy with a signal-to-noise ratio thousands of times better than any existing technology.