SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING CHANGES IN STATE OF MATTER WITH TERAHERTZ RADIATION

摘要

A system and method for using terahertz radiation to detect and monitor asubstance undergoing a change in phasefrom a liquid phase to a solid phase or vice-versa is disclosed. By employingterahertz radiation in either the pulsed mode or in thecontinuous-wave (CW) mode, the system can non-invasively monitor thesechanges. The system uses the principle that matter in aliquid state will absorb and attenuate terahertz radiation to a larger degreethan matter in a semisolid or solid state. Most terahertzradiation absorption occurs due to the rotational motions of molecules, i.e.either whole molecules or groups of atoms rotating aboutmolecular bonds.