Density of states and vibrational modes of PDMS studied by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

Is Ortho-Terphenyl a Rigid Glass Former?

Ortho-terphenyl (OTP) has long been used as a model system to study the glass transition due to its apparent simplicity and a widespread assumption that it is a rigid molecule. Here, we employ terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and low-frequency Raman spectroscopy to investigate the rigidity of OTP by direct observation of the low-frequency vibrational dynamics. These terahertz phonons involve complex large-amplitude atomic motions where intramolecular and intermolecular displacements are often mixed. Comparison of experimental results with density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations shows that the assumption of rigidity neglects important implications for the glass transition and must be revisited. These results highlight the significance of terahertz modes on elasticity, which will be even more critical in more complex systems such as biomolecules.

Terahertz antireflection coatings employing off-the-shelf adhesive tapes

We demonstrate the feasibility of making antireflection coatings (ARCs) for terahertz (THz) light using multilayered polymer films from commercial adhesive tapes. Efficient and low-cost ARCs in the THz range are not conveniently available. Our economical approach can mitigate many of the experimental challenges posed by Fresnel reflection. Harnessing a time-domain THz spectrometer, we demonstrate the performance of several types of multilayer coatings on a variety of substrates. By varying layer stacking and thicknesses, spectral performance can be tuned and optimized for specific applications. Good agreement is found between experimental measurement and analytic calculations evaluating the performance of these multilayer tape ARCs.

Single-layer metamaterial bolometer for sensitive detection of low-power terahertz waves at room temperature

This study demonstrates a metamaterial bolometer that can detect terahertz (THz) waves by measuring variations in electrical resistance. A metamaterial pattern for enhanced THz waves absorption and a composite material with a high temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) are incorporated into a single layer of the bolometer chip to realize a compact and highly sensitive device. To detect the temperature change caused by the absorption of the THz waves, a polydimethylsiloxane mixed with carbon black microparticles is used. The thermosensitive composite has TCR ranging from 1.88%/K to 3.11%/K at room temperature (22.2-23.8^°C). In addition, a microscale metamaterial without a backside reflector is designed to enable the measurement of the resistance and to enhance the sensitivity of the bolometer. The proposed configuration effectively improves thermal response of the chip as well as the absorption of the THz waves. It was confirmed that the irradiated THz waves can be detected via the increment in the electrical resistance. The resistance change caused by the absorption of the THz waves is detectable in spite of the changes in resistance originating from the background thermal noise. The proposed metamaterial bolometer could be applied to detect chemical or biological molecules that have fingerprints in the THz band by measuring the variation of the resistance without using the complex and bulky THz time-domain spectroscopy system.

Terahertz disorder-localized rotational modes and lattice vibrational modes in the orientationally-disordered and ordered phases of camphor

Camphors' terahertz range spectra are measured and simulated, providing fundamental insight into the dynamics of its ordered and disordered phases.

Reversibly stretchable and tunable terahertz metamaterials with wrinkled layouts

The use of wrinkling provides a generic route to stretchable metamaterials, with unprecedented terahertz tunability. The wrinkled metamaterial can be stretched reversibly up to 52.5%; the structural integrity can be maintained during at least 100 stretching/relaxing cycles. Importantly, the wrinkling of meta-atoms offers a deterministic way to achieve controlled broadening of electrical resonance.