Optical rectification and electro-optic sampling in the THz regime using electro-optic polymers – Michael Hayden

Date: Mon. May 10th, 2004, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm
Location: Rockefeller 221

I will describe the adaptation of electro-optic (EO) polymer technology to terahertz (THz) generation and detection. The generation of wide bandwidth THz radiation (mid-IR to far-IR) with a smooth frequency response using low power laser sources is very desirable for scientific and technological applications such as vibrational analysis of biomolecules, medical imaging, non-contact electrical measurements, and homeland security. EO polymers have the potential to make a significant impact in this field due to their large nonlinearities, ease of processing, and low dispersion from the optical to the THz region. I will describe the fabrication of 100-300 m thick polymer films with electrooptic coefficients greater than 50 pm/V and report their use as emitters and sensors of THz radiation.