Designing Optical Systems for Terahertz Spectroscopy

Chin, Jaden K.

Student Work

Designing Optical Systems for Terahertz Spectroscopy

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Terahertz Imaging is an emerging technology with applications in medical imaging, non-destructive evaluation, and wireless communication. Recent developments in efficient THz wave production allows for new studies to be conducted to observe the behaviors of materials in the THz wave spectrum. The objective of this paper is to develop method for characterizing these materials, and addresses sources of error that arise in THz optical systems. This was achieved through the use of the Toptica TeraFlash, a pulsed THz wave generator, and an accompanying imaging gantry. Effective methods were identified for calculating the refractive index and absorption coefficient of materials in the THz spectrum. Additionally, focal displacement was found to be a source of unavoidable error given the current imaging gantry. A new imaging platform was then designed that allows for vertical translation of the TeraFlash receiver. This will allow for a scan of the Gaussian Beam produced by the TeraFlash in order to identify a configuration that will minimize the effects focal displacement on collected data.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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