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Cutting-edge terahertz technology

Abstract

Research into terahertz technology is now receiving increasing attention around the world, and devices exploiting this waveband are set to become increasingly important in a very diverse range of applications. Here, an overview of the status of the technology, its uses and its future prospects are presented.

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Figure 1: Welcome to the terahertz region.
Figure 2: Typical design of a solid-state source of tunable THz waves based on an injection-seeded THz-wave parametric generator.
Figure 3: Semiconductor source of THz waves based on a QCL design.
Figure 4: Typical set-up for THz-TDS.
Figure 5: THz-absorption spectra of barbital.
Figure 6: MOSFET damage detection by LTEM.
Figure 7: Terahertz narcotic detection a, THz image (upper) and photograph (lower) of specimens under inspection.
Figure 8: Expected roadmap for some THz applications.

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Acknowledgements

I am grateful to the research committee member who helped to compile this research report on the current status and prospects of terahertz technology. I also thank Qing Hu, Kodo Kawase, Koichiro Tanaka, Masaya Nagai, Iwao Hosako, Alfred Leitenstorfer, Sushil Kumar, Rupert Huber, Ryoichi Kumazawa, Akihiko Hirata and Norihisa Hiromoto for providing their figures and information.

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Tonouchi, M. Cutting-edge terahertz technology. Nature Photon 1, 97–105 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2007.3

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