Berlin 2012 – scientific programme

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PV: Plenarvorträge

PV 10: PV X

PV 10.1: Keynote Talk

Tuesday, March 27, 2012, 14:00–14:45, H 0104

Terahertz Science and Technology: Key Innovations and Driving Applications — •Karsten Buse — Fraunhofer Institute of Physical Measurement Techniques, Freiburg, Germany — Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Germany

Photoconductive antennas as well as nonlinear-optical materials are able to deliver terahertz radiation, if they are pumped by laser light. For pulsed excitation "white" terahertz radiation is generated, and optical parametrical oscillators can deliver tunable terahertz radiation with line widths as small as some MHz, easily. Although the underlying ideas go back to the 60s or even to Heinrich Hertz, more than 100 years ago, it was quite recent that the systems became such reliable, efficient and powerful that they can be of use. In this talk a review about the fascinating underlying physics for generation and detection of terahertz radiation will be given, and the key innovations that were making such devices possible will be introduced. Anyhow, what is triggering the interest in these waves? Terahertz radiation passes through non-conductive matter. Phase contrast information as well as spectral fingerprints of molecular resonances can be achieved for such materials providing a wealth of information useful for non-destructive material testing. Various examples will be shown, e.g., the unambiguous identification of hidden drugs and explosives as well as measurements of layer thicknesses and structural material defects. – To work on terahertz light sources is not only fun, it is also useful for the industrial world.