Scientists from the University of Ottawa and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light have developed a novel photonics system that can measure the low-energy dynamics of physical phenomena in real-time with a time resolution approaching the microsecond. The system combines terahertz (THz) spectroscopy and real-time monitoring. Terahertz waves are electromagnetic waves that can reveal hidden secrets of matter, capturing fast changes in materials invisible to other types of radiation. The system can record real-time movies of hot electrons in silicon at 50,000 frames per second. The technology replaces a system that was only accessible in large synchrotron facilities.
Scientists from the University of Ottawa and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light have proposed a breakthrough approach that will facilitate discoveries in materials science by combining terahertz (THz) spectroscopy and real-time monitoring. Terahertz waves are electromagnetic waves that can reveal hidden secrets of matter. They can capture fast changes in materials invisible to other types of radiation. Scientists can now use terahertz waves to record real-time movies of hot electrons in silicon at 50,000 frames per second — faster than ever before.
Led by Jean-Michel Ménard, associate professor of physics at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Science, a team of scientists used two techniques, chirped-pulse encoding and photonic time-stretch. The first technique imprints the information carried by a THz pulse onto a chirped supercontinuum in the optical region, which resembles a travelling rainbow. The second stretches the rainbow pulse in time inside a long fibre, slowing down the rate of information so that it can be recorded in real time by advanced electronic equipment. These steps are repeated using a train of pulses at 20 microsecond-intervals, which can be combined to make a movie of the low-energy dynamics inside a material.
“In this study, we present a novel photonics system that can measure in real time the low-energy dynamics of complex physical phenomena with a time resolution approaching the microsecond. Our setup is distinctive: it is a compact system that replaces a technology that was only accessible in large synchrotron facilities, and can quickly perform time-resolved THz spectroscopy, a powerful technique to analyze various materials,” says Ménard.
Experiments relying on this system will trace vibrational resonances of molecules to study the enigmatic role of enzymes in chemical reactions. The new approach will also help scientists to discover new materials and design new devices by revealing the underlying physics of materials.
The combination of terahertz spectroscopy and real-time monitoring will help scientists to explore the properties of materials in real-time, which was not possible before. The new approach will open up new avenues for research in materials science and could lead to the discovery of new materials that have not yet been explored.
The development of new materials is crucial for many industries, including electronics, energy, and healthcare. Materials science is also important for developing new technologies that can help us to address global challenges such as climate change and re depletion. With the new breakthrough approach, scientists will be able to accelerate the discovery of new materials and technologies that can help us to build a better future.
In the final stage, the breakthrough approach proposed by scientists from the University of Ottawa and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light will revolutionize the field of materials science by combining terahertz spectroscopy and real-time monitoring. The new approach will help scientists to explore the properties of materials in real-time, which was not possible before. The development of new materials is crucial for many industries, and the new approach will accelerate the discovery of new materials and technologies that can help us to build a better future.
