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Combless broadband terahertz generation with conventional laser diodes.
1Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM, Department of Terahertz Measurement and Systems, Erwin-Schroedinger-Str., Building 56, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany. daniel.molter@ipm.fraunhofer.de
Optics Express
|March 30, 2011
Summary
We developed a new method for generating broadband Terahertz (THz) spectra using affordable laser diodes. This technique creates a continuous THz output without frequency gaps, advancing THz spectroscopy applications.
Area of Science:
- Terahertz (THz) Science and Technology
- Laser Spectroscopy
- Photonics
Background:
- Generating continuous broadband Terahertz (THz) spectra is crucial for various spectroscopic applications.
- Conventional methods often involve complex or expensive setups, limiting accessibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel, cost-effective technique for generating a continuous, combless broadband THz spectrum.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of using conventional low-cost laser diodes for THz generation.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a standard time-domain spectroscopy system with photoconductive antennas.
- Employing two tunable diode lasers as the pump source.
- Implementing fine and coarse tuning mechanisms, including a spatial light modulator in an external cavity, for difference frequency generation.
Main Results:
- Achieved a continuous, combless broadband Terahertz spectrum.
- Demonstrated fast coarse-tuning capabilities via a spatial light modulator.
- Compared the novel method's performance against multi-mode operation for THz generation.
Conclusions:
- The presented technique offers a low-cost and efficient approach to broadband THz generation.
- This method enhances the accessibility of THz spectroscopy by leveraging conventional laser diodes.
- The continuous spectrum produced is suitable for advanced spectroscopic analyses.
