The physics and chemistry of THz sensors and imagers: long-standing applications, new opportunities, and pitfalls

摘要

Important applications of the Terahertz/Submillimeter/Nearmillimeter/Millimeter/Far Infrared have been known for many years and a number of scientific laboratory and field instruments that approach fundamental limits have been developed. More recently, a number of 'public' applications for the non-specialist have been heavily promoted. In spite of this, no 'public' application has come to fruition and been widely adopted. With specific examples, we will show that advances in technology and scientific understanding are poised to change this. A particular emphasis will be placed on distinguishing between those opportunities for which there is a clear path to a 'public' application and those for which fundamentally unknown phenomenology or technological breakthroughs will be required.