Encyclopedia of Nanotechnology

2012 Edition
| Editors: Bharat Bhushan

Terahertz Technology for Nano Applications

Reference work entry
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9751-4_21
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Synonyms

 Terahertz;  THz;  T-rays

Definition

The terahertz (THz) region of the electromagnetic spectrum is generally defined as the frequency range of 0.1–10 THz (10 12 cycles per second) corresponding to quantum energy of 0.4 meV–0.4 eV (see Fig. 1). THz electromagnetic waves (also known as T-rays) have several properties that could promote their use as sensing and imaging tool. There is no ionization hazard for biological tissue and Rayleigh scattering of electromagnetic radiation is many orders of magnitude less for THz wavelengths than for the neighboring infrared and optical regions of the spectrum. THz radiation can also penetrate nonmetallic materials such as fabric, leather, and plastic which makes it useful in security screening for concealed weapons. The THz frequencies correspond to energy levels of molecular rotations and vibrations of DNA and proteins, as well as explosives, and these may provide characteristic fingerprints to differentiate biological tissues in a region...
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Further Reading

  1. 1.
    Tonouchi, M.: Cutting-edge terahertz technology. Nat. Photonics 1, 97–105 (2007)Google Scholar
  2. 2.
    Diduck, Q., Irie, H., Margala, M.: A room temperature ballistic deflection transistor for high performance applications. Int. J. High Speed Electron. Syst. 19, 23–31 (2009)Google Scholar
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    Dragoman, D., Dragoman, M.: Terahertz fields and applications. Prog. Quantum Electron. 28, 1–66 (2004)Google Scholar
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    Kumar, S., Hu, Q., Reno, J.L.: 186 K operation of terahertz quantum-cascade lasers based on a diagonal design. Appl. Phys. Lett. 94, 131105 (2009)Google Scholar
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    Dyakonov, M.I., Shur, M.S.: Detection, mixing, and frequency multiplication of terahertz radiation by two dimensional electronic fluid. IEEE Trans. Electron Devices 43, 380 (1996)Google Scholar
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    Muravjov, A.V., Veksler, D.B., Popov, V.V., Polischuk, O.V., Pala, N., Hu, X., Gaska, R., Saxena, H., Peale, R.E., Shur, M.S.: Temperature dependence of plasmonic terahertz absorption in grating-gate GaN HEMT structures. Appl. Phys. Lett. 96, 042105 (2010)Google Scholar
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    Hu, B.B., Nuss, M.C.: Imaging with terahertz waves. Opt. Lett. 20, 1716–1718 (1995)Google Scholar
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    George, P.A., Hui, W., Rana, F., Hawkins, B.G., Smith, A.E., Kirby, B.J.: Microfluidic devices for terahertz spectroscopy of biomolecules. Opt. Express 16, 1577 (2008)Google Scholar
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    Yamashita, M., Kawase, K., Otani, C.: Imaging of large-scale integrated circuits using laser terahertz emission microscopy. Opt. Express 13, 115 (2005)Google Scholar
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    Hunsche, S., Koch, M., Brener, I., Nuss, M.C.: THz near-field imaging. Opt. Commun. 150, 22 (1998)Google Scholar
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    Huber, A.J., Keilmann, F., Wittborn, J., Aizpurua, J., Hillenbrand, R.: Terahertz near-field nanoscopy of mobile carriers in single semiconductor Nanodevices. Nano Lett. 8, 3766–3770 (2008)Google Scholar
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    Fitch, M.J., Osiander, R.: Terahertz waves for communications and sensing. Johns Hopkins APL Tech. Dig. 25, 348 (2004)Google Scholar
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    Floyd, B.A., Hung, C.M., Kenneth, K.O.: Intra-chip wireless interconnect for clock distribution implemented with integrated antennas, receivers and transmitters. IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits 37, 543 (2002)Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringFlorida International UniversityMiamiUSA
  2. 2.Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringFlorida International UniversityMiamiUSA