Focus
Terahertz Optics
- Focus issue:
- September 2013 Volume 7 No 9 pp665-760
This Focus Issue describes the interaction mechanism between terahertz radiation and matter. Topics covered include terahertz sources, on- and off-resonant control using intense terahertz pulses, quantum cascade lasers, superconducting terahertz emitters and terahertz plasmonics.
Editorial
Terahertz optics taking off - p666 - 669
doi:10.1038/nphoton.2013.239
Advances in terahertz sources and measurement techniques are opening up new opportunities for fundamental material research in the terahertz region.
Full Text - Terahertz optics taking off | PDF (240 KB) - Terahertz optics taking off
Commentary
Frontiers in terahertz sources and plasmonics - p666 - 669
doi:10.1038/nphoton.2013.235
The development of innovative tools and techniques is vital for improving research capabilities and opening up new research directions in the terahertz regime. Terahertz sources and plasmonics are just two examples of current exciting advances.
Full Text - Frontiers in terahertz sources and plasmonics | PDF (240 KB) - Frontiers in terahertz sources and plasmonics
Interview
Bright terahertz sources - pp670 - 671
Interview with Xi-Cheng Zhang
doi:10.1038/nphoton.2013.231
Full text - Bright terahertz sources | PDF (3,083 KB) - Bright terahertz sources
Reviews
Resonant and nonresonant control over matter and light by intense terahertz transients - pp680 - 690
Tobias Kampfrath, Koichiro Tanaka & Keith A. Nelson
doi:10.1038/nphoton.2013.184
This article provides an overview and illustrative examples of how the electric and magnetic fields of intense terahertz transients can be used to resonantly, and even nonresonantly, control matter and light. It discusses the fundamental interaction mechanisms of intense terahertz radiation with matter.
Abstract - Resonant and nonresonant control over matter and light by intense terahertz transients | Full Text - Resonant and nonresonant control over matter and light by intense terahertz transients | PDF (3,093 KB) - Resonant and nonresonant control over matter and light by intense terahertz transients
Wave engineering with THz quantum cascade lasers - pp691 - 701
Carlo Sirtori, Stefano Barbieri & Raffaele Colombelli
doi:10.1038/nphoton.2013.208
This article reviews state-of-the-art engineering of the spectral and spatial emission properties of terahertz quantum cascade lasers by focusing on three key factors: photonic structures for extracting and confining light in a cavity, an upconversion technique based on nonlinear intracavity mixing and a frequency stabilisation technique based on femtosecond-laser combs.
Abstract - Wave engineering with THz quantum cascade lasers | Full Text - Wave engineering with THz quantum cascade lasers | PDF (2,252 KB) - Wave engineering with THz quantum cascade lasers
Superconducting emitters of THz radiation - pp702 - 710
Ulrich Welp, Kazuo Kadowaki & Reinhold Kleiner
doi:10.1038/nphoton.2013.216
Recent progress on terahertz-emission devices based on the high-temperature superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ is reviewed. The emission mechanism is explained as a result of collective resonant modes in a stack of intrinsic Josephson junctions. Remarkable features of the linewidth, tunability, the optimum bias condition and the thermal influence are discussed.
Abstract - Superconducting emitters of THz radiation | Full Text - Superconducting emitters of THz radiation | PDF (1,949 KB) - Superconducting emitters of THz radiation