Terahertz Radiation
The TeraNova Project is concerned with the development of terahertz (THz) frequency sources and systems for practical applications, together with an exploration of the underlying science that can be exploited in such applications.
The electromagnetic spectrum is familiar to almost everyone: it extends from very short wavelength (high frequency) such as X-rays all the way up to long wavelength (low frequency) such as radio waves; each part of the spectrum has its own applications.
Until very recently, one region of the electromagnetic spectrum has remained relatively unexploited — this is the terahertz (THz) region that lies between microwaves and infra-red. The figure below shows where this region is placed between “radio” and “light”. Because neither “radio” nor “light” sources operated well at THz frequencies, the term “THz Gap” was often used.
Properties of Terahertz Radiation
Despite the difficulties in generating THz radiation, it does have some remarkably useful properties. For example:
- THz radiation is non-ionizing and intrinsically safe;
- Many visually opaque materials, such as clothing, plastics, ceramics and paper are transparent to THz radiation;
- THz radiation provides a means of identification of specific materials, including DNA, because molecular rotations and vibrations occur in this frequency range;
- THz can provide important information on the quality of semiconductor materials.
In the TeraNova programme, we are harnessing these properties for practical applications.