Effect of surface scattering on terahertz time domain spectroscopy of chemicals

M. Hassan Arbab; Antao Chen; Eric I Thorsos; Dale P Winebrenner; Lisa M Zurk

doi:10.1117/12.769015

14 February 2008 Effect of surface scattering on terahertz time domain spectroscopy of chemicals

M. Hassan Arbab, Antao Chen, Eric I Thorsos, Dale P Winebrenner, Lisa M Zurk

Proceedings Volume 6893, Terahertz Technology and Applications; 68930C (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.769015
Event: Integrated Optoelectronic Devices 2008, 2008, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

The existence of unique absorption spectrum patterns for many chemicals at terahertz frequencies has opened an exciting avenue in non-contact safe detection of such materials by terahertz spectroscopy. However, scattering of THz waves, which have wavelengths on the order of material grain sizes, by surface roughness challenges the sensitivity of this detection scheme in practice. In this work, we present terahertz time domain spectroscopy results for materials with rough surfaces. Both reflection from and transmission through lactose, which has sharp absorption peaks in the terahertz regime, are studied and the effect of increasing scattering through controlled surface roughness is investigated. Such electromagnetic scattering can alter the terahertz absorption spectrum and thus obscure the detection of chemicals. Furthermore we examine electro-optic detection of terahertz signals reflected from randomly rough targets with a theoretical electromagnetic system perspective and provide a method to retrieve coherent reflection responses from rough surface targets.

Citation Download Citation

M. Hassan Arbab, Antao Chen, Eric I Thorsos, Dale P Winebrenner, and Lisa M Zurk "Effect of surface scattering on terahertz time domain spectroscopy of chemicals", Proc. SPIE 6893, Terahertz Technology and Applications, 68930C (14 February 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.769015

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available