We present a terahertz (THz) system based on a poled electro-optic (EO) polymer emitter-sensor pair for the generation and detection of broadband electromagnetic pulses free of spectral gaps. The gap-free THz spectrum obtained from the system is attributed to the amorphous form of the EO polymer films. Using ∼50-fs laser pulses centered at ∼800nm⁠, a ∼100-μm thick emitter, and a ∼180-μm thick sensor, the observable bandwidth is ∼12THz⁠. We also present an experimental study, in a systematic manner, on the effect of phase mismatch in the polymer emitter-sensor pair.

Topics
Phonons, Terahertz radiation, Electro-optics, Nonlinear optical materials, Optical materials, Absorption line, Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, Thin films, Optical properties, Femtosecond lasers
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© 2005 American Institute of Physics.
2005
American Institute of Physics
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