NIST researchers have developed a continuous-wave terahertz spectrometer capable of generating and detecting terahertz radiation across a wide frequency range. The spectrometer uses two near-infrared lasers – a fixed-frequency laser for stable light source and a tunable laser for generating terahertz radiation. The terahertz beam is focused onto a photomixer to generate radiation from 0.06 THz to 4 THz, suitable for studying various materials and phenomena. The detector, a liquid-helium-cooled bolometer, can measure very low power levels with high sensitivity. The spectrometer’s high accuracy and scan-to-scan repeatability are achieved through precise laser frequency measurement and external grating-tuning. This new spectrometer will enable more accurate and reliable terahertz spectroscopy measurements for research and applications in materials science, chemistry, and physics.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/laboratories/tools-instruments/continuous-wave-terahertz-spectrometer
Keywords: Terahertz radiation, Photomixer, Bolometer
