Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

Located between the near-infrared (NIR) and the microwave regions, terahertz (THz) radiation shares properties with these two spectral domains making it a unique tool for spectroscopic applications. On one hand, its moderately high photon energy covers an ideal range to interact with various elementary excitations such as phonons, excitons, and molecular vibrations, which is why THz radiation is increasingly used in academia and industry to characterize semiconductors, image bio-tissues and identify chemical agents. On the other hand, its wavelength is still long enough to enable ultrafast NIR pulses to trace its relatively slow oscillating electric field via a technique called electro-optic sampling. By comparing the time-resolved THz pulse incident on and transmitted through a sample, one can retrieve the full complex dielectric response of that material. This information can also be extracted as a function of time delay relative to a synchronized excitation pump pulse to perform ultrafast THz spectroscopy and monitor dynamical condensed-matter systems. The requested sensitive and accurate THz characterization system , which combines a THz camera, a Golay cell and an ultra-low-noise signal modulator/demodulator, will allow researchers at uOttawa to perform highly sensitive and fully calibrated THz spectroscopy measurements. More specifically, the applicants will use these cutting-edge instruments to explore and exploit extremely high nonlinearities in semiconductors and excitonic resonances of strongly correlated systems featuring intriguing phase transitions. Ultrafast time-resolved measurements using a resonant pump will allow us to monitor the dynamics of these singular states of matter. The co-applicants and all uOttawa members of the Max Planck - uOttawa Center for extreme and quantum photonics will be granted full access to the requested equipment. This equipment will also strongly contribute to establish uOttawa as a leader in low- and mid-energy physics in solid state by providing local researchers with some of the best commercially available characterization and detection tools for THz photonics. There is no doubt that such a modern diagnostic THz system will fuel many academic and industrial collaborations. Finally, the proposed research will allow the training of 70 highly qualified personnel (HQP) in THz photonics and materials science that will boost the industrial and academic sectors, stimulating growth and economic prosperity for Canada.