Beecroft Building, Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU
Dr Lucy Downes, Durham University
Abstract
Terahertz (THz) waves have a multitude of applications across many areas ranging from security screening to biomedical imaging, but historically THz detectors have been slow and required frequent calibration. Highly excited atoms (Rydberg atoms) make excellent sensors of electromagnetic fields and have been extensively used to measure microwave and radio-frequency fields. This talk will give an overview of work done at Durham in which laser-excited atoms are used to sense and image THz fields [1,2]. Beginning with the basic principles behind using atoms as sensors, this talk will cover how these concepts are used to create a high-speed THz imaging system and show some of the applications this new technology could address.
[1] C. Wade et al. "Real-time near-field terahertz imaging with atomic optical fluorescence". Nature Photon 11, 40–43 (2017)
[2] L. Downes et al. "Full-field terahertz imaging at kilohertz frame-rates using atomic vapour". Phys. Rev. X 10, 011027 (2020)