Propagation characteristics of oblique incidence terahertz wave through non-uniform plasma

The propagation characteristics of oblique incidence terahertz(THz) waves through non-uniform plasma are investigated by the shift-operator finite-difference time-domain(SO-FDTD) method combined with the phase matching condition.The electron density distribution of the non-uniform plasma is assumed to be in a Gaussian profile. Validation of the present method is performed by comparing the results with those obtained by an analytical method for a homogeneous plasma slab.Then the effects of parameters of THz wave and plasma layer on the propagation properties are analyzed. It is found that the transmission coefficients greatly depend on the incident angle as well as on the thickness of the plasma, while the polarization of the incident wave has little influence on the propagation process in the range of frequency considered in this paper. The results confirm that the THz wave can pass through the plasma sheath effectively under certain conditions,which makes it a potential candidate to overcome the ionization blackout problem.

Research progress in the effects of terahertz waves on biomacromolecules

With the rapid development of terahertz technologies,basic research and applications of terahertz waves in biomedicine have attracted increasing attention.The rotation and vibrational energy levels of biomacromolecules fall in the energy range of terahertz waves;thus,terahertz waves might interact with biomacromolecules.Therefore,terahertz waves have been widely applied to explore features of the terahertz spectrum of biomacromolecules.However,the effects of terahertz waves on biomacromolecules are largely unexplored.Although some progress has been reported,there are still numerous technical barriers to clarifying the relation between terahertz waves and biomacromolecules and to realizing the accurate regulation of biological macromolecules by terahertz waves.Therefore,further investigations should be conducted in the future.In this paper,we reviewed terahertz waves and their biomedical research advantages,applications of terahertz waves on biomacromolecules and the effects of terahertz waves on biomacromolecules.These findings will provide novel ideas and methods for the research and application of terahertz waves in the biomedical field.

Simultaneous all-solid-state multi-wavelength lasers——a promising pump source for generating highly coherent terahertz waves

A diode-end-pumped Nd：YAG dual-wavelength laser operating at 1319 and 1338 nm is demonstrated. The maximum average output power of the quasi-continuous wave linearly polarized dual-wavelength laser is obtained to be 2.1 W at a repetition rate of 50 kHz with an output power instability of less than 0.38% and beam quality factor M^2 of 1.45. Using the two lines, the highly coherent and narrow linewidth terahertz radiation of 3.23 THz can be generated in an organic 4-N, N-dimethylamino-methyl-stilbazolium tosylate （DAST） crystal. Meanwhile, the multi-wavelength red laser at 659.5, 664 and 669 nm is generated by frequency doubling and sum frequency processes in a lithium triborate （LBO） crystal. The average red laser output power is enhanced up to 1.625 W at a repetition rate of 15 kHz with an output power instability of better than 0.53% and beam quality factor M^2 of 6.05. Using the three lines, it is possible to generate the multi-wavelength THz radiation of 3.3, 3.43 and 6.73 THz in an appropriate difference frequency crystal.

Measurement of Rain Attenuation in Terahertz Wave Range

Rain attenuation at 355.2 GHz in the terahertz wave range was measured with our new 355.2 GHz measuring system under rainfall intensities up to 25 mm/hr. Rain attenuation coefficients were also calculated using four raindrop-size distributions, e Marshall-Palmer (M-P), Best, Polyakova-Shifrin (P-S) and Weibull distributions, and using a specific rain attenuation model for prediction methods recommended by ITU-R. Measurements of a terahertz wave taken at 355.2 GHz were compared with our calculations. Results showed that the propagation experiment was in very good agreement with a calculation from a specific attenuation model for use in prediction method recommended by ITU-R.

Millimeter Wave and Terahertz Communications: Feasibility and Challenges

In this paper, the challenges with and motivations for developing millimeter wave and terahertz communications are described. A high-bye candidate architecture is presented, and use cases highlighting the potential applicability of high-frequency links are discussed. Mobility challenges at these higher frequencies are also discussed. Difficulties that arise as a result of high carrier frequencies and higher path loss can be overcome by practical, higher-gain antennas that have the added benefit of reducing intercell interference. Simulation methodology and results are given. The results show that millimeter wave coverage is possible in large, outdoor spaces, and only a reasonable number of base stations are needed. Network throughput can exceed 25 Gbit/s, and cell-edge user throuqhput can reach aDoroximatelv 100 Mbit/s.

Scattering of Circularly Polarized Terahertz Waves on a Graphene Nanoantenna

We present a surface current method to model the graphene rectangular nanoantenna scattering in the terahertz band with Comsol. Compared with the equivalent thin slab method, the results obtained by the surface current method are more accurate and efficient. Then the electromagnetic scattering of circularly polarized terahertz waves on graphene nanoantennas is numerically analyzed by utilizing the surface current method. The depen- dences of the antenna resonant frequency with the circularly polarized wave on width and length are consistent with those for the linear polarized waves. These results are proved to be useful to design et^cient nanoantennas in terahertz wireless communications.

Multi-function terahertz wave manipulation utilizing Fourier convolution operation metasurface

We propose a novel metasurface based on a combined pattern of outer C-shaped ring and inner rectangular ring.By Fourier convolution operation to generating different predesigned sequences of metasurfaces,we realize various functionalities to flexible manipulate terahertz waves including vortex terahertz beam splitting,anomalous vortex terahertz wave deflection,vortex terahertz wave splitting and deflection simultaneously.The incident terahertz wave can be flexibly controlled in a single metasurface.The designed metasurface has an extensive application prospect in the field of future terahertz communication and sensing.

Broadband Terahertz Wave Generation from Monolayer Graphene Driven by Few-Cycle Laser Pulse

We theoretically investigate the characteristics of terahertz(THz) radiation from monolayer graphene exposed to normal incident few-cycle laser pulses, by numerically solving the extended semiconductor Bloch equations. Our simulations show that the THz spectra in low frequency regions are highly dependent on the carrier envelope phase(CEP) of driving laser pulses. Using an optimal CEP of few-cycle laser pulses, we can obtain broadband strong THz waves, due to the symmetry breaking of the laser-graphene system. Our results also show that the strength of the THz spectra depend on both the intensity and central wavelength of the laser pulses. The intensity dependence of the THz wave can be described by the excitation rate of graphene, while wavelength dependence can be traced back to the band velocity and the population of graphene. We find that a near single-cycle THz pulse can be obtained from graphene driven by a mid-infrared laser pulse.

Investigation of pump-wavelength dependence of terahertz-wave parametric oscillator based on LiNbO_3

This paper investigates the performances of terahertz-wave parametric oscillators （TPOs） based on the LiNbO3 crystal at different pump wavelengths.The calculated results show that TPO characteristics,including the frequency tuning range,the THz-wave gain and the stability of THz-wave output direction based on the Si-prism coupler,can be significantly improved by using a short-wavelength pump.It also demonstrates that a long-wavelength-pump allows the employment of a short TPO cavity due to an enlarged phase-matching angle,that is,an increased angular separation between the pump and oscillated Stokes beams under the THz-wave generation at a specific frequency. The study provides an useful guide and a theoretical basis for the further improvement of TPO systems.

Rain Attenuation in the Microwave-to-Terahertz Waveband

In recent years, there has been increased interest in the terahertz waveband for application to ultra-high-speed wireless communications and remote sensing systems. However, atmospheric propagation at these wavelengths has a significant effect on the operational stability of systems using the terahertz waveband, so elucidating the effects of rain on propagation is a topic of high interest. We demonstrate various methods for calculating attenuation due to rain and evaluate these methods through comparison with calculated and experimental values. We find that in the 90 - 225 GHz microwave band, values calculated according to Mie scattering theory using the Best and P-S sleet raindrop size distributions best agree with experimental values. At 313 and 355 GHz terahertz-waveband frequencies, values calculated according to Mie scattering theory using the Weibull distribution and a prediction model following ITU-R recommendations best agree with experimental values. We furthermore find that attenuation due to rain increases in proportion to frequency for microwave-band frequencies below approximately 50 GHz, but that there is a peak at around 100 GHz, above which the degree of attenuation remains steady or decreases. Rain-induced attenuation increases in proportion to the rainfall intensity.

Study of a rectangular coupled cavity extended interaction oscillator in sub-terahertz waves

An extended interaction oscillator （EIO） generating 120 GHz wave in sub-terahertz waves is studied by using the three-dimensional electromagnetic simulation software CST and PIC codes. A rectangular reentrant coupled-cavity is proposed as the slow-wave structure of EIO. By CST, the circuit parameters including frequency-phase dispersion, interaction impedance and characteristic impedance are simulated and calculated. The operation mode of EIO is chosen very close to the point where βL = 2π with corresponding frequency 120 GHz, the beam voltage 12 kV and the dimensions of the cavity with the period 0.5mm, the height 3mm and the width 1.4mm. Simulation results of beam-wave interaction by PIC show that the exciting frequency is 120.85 GHz and output peak power 465 W with 12-period coupled-cavity with the perveance 0.17 μP. Simulation results indicate that the EIO has very wide range of the operation voltage.

A Transmission-Type Electrically Tunable Polarizer Based on Graphene Ribbons at Terahertz Wave Band

We theoretically and numerically demonstrate that a transmission-type electrically tunable polarizer can be realized by using graphene ribbons supported on a dielectric film with a graphene sheet behind. The polarization mechanism originates from the antenna plasmon resonance of graphene stripes. The results of full-wave numerical simulations reveal that transmittance of 0.70 for one polarization and 0.0073 for another polarization can be obtained at normal incidence. The transmission-type electrically tunable polarizer provides and facilitates a variety of applications, including filtering, detecting, and imaging.

Design of Efficient Tunable Terahertz-Wave Parametric Oscillator

An efficient widely tunable terahertz（THz）-wave parametric oscillator （TPO） has been designed based on the basic principle of optical parametric oscillator. The design of TPO comprises the theoretical calculations for wavelength dependent refractive index dependent wavelength when the frequency is in the far infrared region, the low-loss parametric gain has been discussed as a same form as the parametric gain in the optical region, realized the non-collinear phase-matching conditions of the terahertz optical parametric oscillator and structure of lithium niobate （LiNbO3） for TPO. The tunable spectrum range of terahertz-wave has been achieved. To increase THz output, a cut exit was made at the comer of the LiNbO3 crystal.

Complementary bilayer metasurfaces for enhanced terahertz wave amplitude andphase manipulation

Manipulation of terahertz wave by metasurfaces has shown tremendous potential in developing compact and functional terahertz optical devices.Here,we propose complementary bilayer metasurfaces for enhanced terahertz wave amplitude and phase manipulation.The metasurfaces are composed of one layer of metal cut-wire arrays and one layer of their complementary aperture arrays separated by a dielectric spacer.Through the near-field coupling between transverse magnetic resonances in the metal apertures and electric resonances in the metal cut-wires,the structures can manipulate the cross polarization conversion and phase dispersion of terahertz wave.Particularly,the designed metasurfaces demonstrate a phase delay of 180°between two orthogonal axes with the same transmission amplitude between 0.70 and 1.0 THz,enabling a 45°broadband polarization conversion.When the metal cut-wires are rotated with respect to the apertures or the thickness of the dielectric spacer is changed,the amplitude and phase dispersion of the transmitted terahertz wave can be tuned.Such complementary coupled bilayer metasurfaces offer a new method to control the amplitude and phase dispersion of terahertz wave and promise great potential for applications in terahertz meta-devices.

A high-power subterahertz surface wave oscillator with separated overmoded slow wave structures

A megawatt-level subterahertz surface wave oscillator （SWO） is proposed to obtain high conversion efficiency by using separated overmoded slow wave structures （SWSs）. Aiming at the repetitive operation and practical applications, the device driven by electron beam with modest energy and current is theoretically analyzed and verified. Then, the functions of the two SWS sections and the effect of the drift tube are investigated by using a particle-in-cell code to reveal how the proposed device achieves high efficiency. The mode analysis of the beam-wave interaction region in the device is also carded out, and the results indicate that multi-modes participate in the premodulation of the electron beam in the first SWS section, while the TM01 mode surface wave is successfully and dominantly excited and amplified in the second SWS section. Finally, a typical simulation result demonstrates that at a beam energy of 313 keV, beam current of 1.13 kA, and guiding magnetic field of above 3.5 T, a high-power subterahertz wave is obtained with an output power of about 70 MW at frequency 146.3 GHz, corresponding to the conversion efficiency of 20%. Compared with the results of the previous subterahertz overmoded SWOs with integral SWS and similar beam parameters, the efficiency increases almost 50% in the proposed device.

Anomalous behaviours of terahertz reflected waves transmitted from GaAs induced by optical pumping

Femtosecond pump-terahertz probe studies of carrier dynamics in semi-insulating CaAs have been investigated in detail for various pump powers. It is observed that, at high pump powers, the reflection peaks flip to the opposite polarity and dramatically enhance as the pump arrival time approaches the reflected wave of the terahertz pulse. The abnormal polarity-flip and enhancement can be interpreted by the pump-induced enhancement in the photoconductivity of GaAs and half-wave loss. Moreover, the carrier relaxation processes and surface states filling in GaAs are also studied in these measurements.

Terahertz Transmission Imaging with 2.52 THz Continuous Wave

In this article, two terahertz transmission imaging systems are built with a 2.52 THz continuous wave laser and two types of sensors. One is array scanning system using a 124×124 pyro-electric array camera as the detector; the other is a point-wise scanning system utilizing a Golay cell as the detector. The imaging speed and quality is briefly analyzed. Terahertz （THz） imaging results demonstrate that the array scanning system has higher imaging speed with lower resolution. The point-wise scanning system has higher imaging quality with lower speed.

Terahertz wave generation in coupled quantum dots

Based on coupled quantum dots, we present an interesting optical effect in a four-level loop coupled system. Both the two upper levels and the two lower levels are designed to be almost degenerate, which induces a considerable dipole moment. The terahertz wave is obtained from the low-frequency component of the photon emission spectrum. The frequency of the terahertz wave can be controlled by tuning the energy levels via designing the nanostructure appropriately or tuning the driving laser field. A terahertz wave with adjustable frequency and considerable intensity （100 times higher than that of the Rayleigh line） can be obtained. It provides an effective scheme for a terahertz source.

Propagation of terahertz waves in nonuniform plasma slab under “electromagnetic window”

The application of magnetic fields, electric fields, and the increase of the electromagnetic wave frequency are upand-coming solutions for the blackout problem. Therefore, this study considers the influence of the external magnetic field on the electron flow and the effect of the external electric field on the electron density distribution, and uses the scattering matrix method(SMM) to perform theoretical calculations and analyze the transmission behavior of terahertz waves under different electron densities, magnetic field distributions, and collision frequencies. The results show that the external magnetic field can improve the transmission of terahertz waves at the low-frequency end. Magnetizing the plasma from the direction perpendicular to the incident path can optimize the right-hand polarized wave transmission. The external electric field can increase the transmittance to some extent, and the increase of the collision frequency can suppress the right-hand polarized wave cyclotron resonance caused by the external magnetic field. By adjusting these parameters, it is expected to alleviate the blackout phenomenon to a certain extent.

Creation of multi-frequency terahertz waves by optimized cascaded difference frequency generation

A new scheme which generates multi-frequency terahertz(THz)waves from planar waveguide by the optimized cascaded difference frequency generation(OCDFG)is proposed.A THz wave with frequencyω_(T1)is generated by the OCDFG with two infrared pump waves,and simultaneously a series of cascaded optical waves with a frequency intervalω_(T1)is generated.The THz wave with a frequency of M-timesω_(T1)is generated by mixing the m-th-order and the(m+M)-th-order cascaded optical wave.The phase mismatch distributions of cascaded difference frequency generation(CDFG)are modulated by changing the thickness of planar waveguide step by step,thereby satisfying the phase-matching condition from first-order to high-order cascaded Stokes process step by step.As a result,the intensity of THz wave can be enhanced and modulated by controlling the cascading order of OCDFG.