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SBIR Phase II: Compact THz-ABCD Spectrometer
Title: DSc
Phone: (518) 312-8913
Email: bschulkin@zomega-terahertz.com
Title: DSc
Phone: (518) 312-8913
Email: bschulkin@zomega-terahertz.com
This NSF Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project proposes to develop a compact THz-ABCD (air-biased coherent- detection). spectrometer based on a new technique for generating and measuring ultra-broadband THz waves utilizing a laser induced plasma in ambient air and selected gases. A focused optical pulse with >100 uJ pulse energy and <100 femtosecond pulse duration in gas creates a plasma (ionized gas molecules), which produces very intense (>300 kV/cm), highly-directional (<6 degree), and ultra-broadband (10% bandwidth from 0.1 to 10 THz) THz waves in the far field. Through the reciprocal process, air or selected gases also serve as an ultra-broadband sensor of pulsed THz waves through air-biased coherent- detection (ABCD).The region of the electromagnetic spectrum from 0.3 to 10 THz (1 mm - 30 um in wavelength) is now a frontier area for research in physics, chemistry, biology, materials science and medicine. Recently, the observations of THz wave generation and detection in the laser induced atmospheric plasma provide new method in remote sensing and spectroscopy. The use of air as THz wave emitter and sensor provides unprecedented bandwidth (spectral range of 0.1 to 30 THz), sensitivity (heterodyne method), and spectral resolution (
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