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Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Terahertz Microfluidic Sensing Using a Parallel-plate Waveguide Sensor
Published on: August 30, 2012
New terahertz dielectric spectroscopy for the study of aqueous solutions
Deepu K George1, Ali Charkhesht1, N Q Vinh1
1Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA.
Abstract:
We present the development of a high precision, tunable far-infrared (terahertz) frequency-domain dielectric spectrometer for studying the dynamics of biomolecules in aqueous solutions in the gigahertz-to-terahertz frequency. As an important benchmark system, we report on the measurements of the absorption and refractive index for liquid water in the frequency range from 5 GHz to 1.12 THz (0.17-37.36 cm(-1) or 0.268-60 mm). The system provides a coherent radiation source with power up to 20 mW in the gigahertz-to-terahertz region. The dynamic range of our instrument reaches 10(12) and the system achieves a spectral resolution of less than 100 Hz. The temperature of samples can be controlled precisely with error bars of ±0.02 °C from 0 °C to 90 °C. Given these attributes, our spectrometer provides unique capabilities for the accurate measurement of even very strongly absorbing materials such as aqueous solutions.
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