A practical guide to terahertz imaging using thermal atomic vapour

Downes, Lucy A; Torralbo-Campo, Lara; Weatherill, Kevin J

Abstract

This tutorial aims to provide details on the underlying principles and methodologies of atom-based terahertz imaging techniques. Terahertz imaging is a growing field of research which can provide complementary information to techniques using other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Unlike infrared, visible and ultraviolet radiation, terahertz passes through many everyday materials, such as plastics, cloth and card. Compared with images formed using lower frequencies, terahertz images have superior spatial resolution due to the shorter wavelength, while compared to x-rays and gamma rays, terahertz radiation is non-ionising and safe to use. The tutorial begins with the basic principles of terahertz to optical conversion in alkali atoms before discussing how to construct a model to predict the fluorescent spectra of the atoms, on which the imaging method depends. We discuss the practical aspects of constructing an imaging system, including the subsystem specifications. We then review the typical characteristics of the imaging system including spatial resolution, sensitivity and bandwidth. We conclude with a brief discussion of some potential applications.

Citation

Downes, L. A., Torralbo-Campo, L., & Weatherill, K. J. (2023). A practical guide to terahertz imaging using thermal atomic vapour. New Journal of Physics, 25, Article 035002. https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/acb80c

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 1, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Mar 22, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Deposit Date: Sep 27, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 24, 2023
• Journal: New Journal of Physics
• Electronic ISSN: 1367-2630
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 25
• Article Number: 035002
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/acb80c
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1190882
• Publisher URL: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1367-2630/acb80c