Seminar on
Modern Optics and Spectroscopy


Xi-Cheng Zhang, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

"Recent development of THz wave technolgy for sensing and imaging applications"

April 3, 2007

12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. Grier Room 34-401

Abstract:

Historically, THz technologies were mainly used by the astronomy community
for searching far-infrared radiation (cosmic background), and by the laser
fusion community for the diagnostics of plasmas. Since the first
demonstration of THz wave time-domain spectroscopy in the late 80's, there
has been a series of significant advances (particularly in recent years) as
intense THz sources and more sensitive detectors provide new opportunities
for understanding the basic science in the THz frequency range. Now, the
region of the electromagnetic spectrum from 0.3 to 10 THz (1 mm - 30 μm
wavelength) is a frontier area for research in physics, chemistry, biology,
materials science and medicine. Recently, the observations of THz wave
generation, manipulation, amplification, and detection in the laser induced
atmospheric plasma provide us the greatest flexibility in remote sensing and
spectroscopy. However, the research of the basic science and engineering of
THz waves in laser induced plasma, especially the amplification of THz waves
in the plasma, is just beginning. I will report the THz wave photonics in
laser induced air plasma for potential remote sensing and spectroscopic
applications

TUESDAYS, 12:00-1:00, GRIER ROOM (34-401)
Refreshments served following the seminar

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Co-sponsored by the George R. Harrison Spectroscopy Laboratory,
the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and
the School of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.