Metrology Issues and Solutions in THz Time-Domain Spectroscopy: Noise, Errors, Calibration

This paper reviews metrology aspects of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. Noise is discussed together with its effects on system performance, including frequency-dependent dynamic range, signal-to noise ratio, and the measurement bandwidth. Sources of uncertainties are addressed, as are measurement errors arising from system design and from interactions with the object under test. Finally, techniques of system calibration are described. Commonly encountered issues are addressed and simple practical solutions suggested. Existing literature on the subject is reviewed.

[1]  Derek Abbott,et al.  The limit of spectral resolution in THz time-domain spectroscopy , 2004, SPIE Micro + Nano Materials, Devices, and Applications.

[2]  Mira Naftaly,et al.  Methodologies for determining the dynamic ranges and signal-to-noise ratios of terahertz time-domain spectrometers. , 2009, Optics letters.

[3]  R. Dudley,et al.  Characterization of Terahertz Beam Profile and Propagation , 2013, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics.

[4]  M. Tani,et al.  A direct comparison between terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and far-infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy , 2001 .

[5]  B. Fischer,et al.  Uncertainty in terahertz time-domain spectroscopy measurement , 2008 .

[6]  P. C. Taylor,et al.  Temperature and frequency dependences of the far-infrared and microwave optical absorption in amorphous materials , 1977 .

[7]  J. V. Rudd,et al.  Influence of substrate-lens design in terahertz time-domain spectroscopy , 2002 .

[8]  J. Howard.  Imaging properties of off-axis parabolic mirrors. , 1979, Applied optics.

[9]  Derek Abbott,et al.  Material thickness optimization for transmission-mode terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. , 2008, Optics express.

[10]  Norihisa Hiromoto,et al.  Study on random errors in THz signal and optical constants observed with THz time-domain spectroscopy , 2010, 35th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves.

[11]  Richard Alan Cheville,et al.  Terahertz beam propagation measured through three-dimensional amplitude profile determination , 2003 .

[12]  Mira Naftaly,et al.  Linearity calibration of amplitude and power measurements in terahertz systems and detectors. , 2009, Optics letters.

[13]  N. Hiromoto,et al.  Exploration of the origin of random error in spectrum intensity measured with THz-TDS , 2010, 35th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves.

[14]  Gabriel M. Rebeiz,et al.  Off-axis properties of silicon and quartz dielectric lens antennas , 1997 .

[15]  D. Abbott,et al.  Optimisation of sample thickness for THz-TDS measurements , 2007, 0711.3815.

[16]  Yaochun Shen,et al.  Elimination of scattering effects in spectral measurement of granulated materials using terahertz pulsed spectroscopy , 2008 .

[17]  B. Fischer,et al.  The Christiansen effect in terahertz time-domain spectra of coarse-grained powders , 2008 .

[18]  J. Coutaz,et al.  Influence of noise on the characterization of materials by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy , 2000 .

[19]  Derek Abbott,et al.  Analysis of measurement uncertainty in THz-TDS , 2007, SPIE Microtechnologies.

[20]  P. R. Bevington,et al.  Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the Physical Sciences , 1969 .

[21]  B. Fischer,et al.  Dynamic range in terahertz time-domain transmission and reflection spectroscopy. , 2005, Optics letters.

[22]  Derek Abbott,et al.  Modelling of sub-wavelength THz sources as Gaussian apertures. , 2010, Optics express.

[23]  J. M. Chamberlain,et al.  Propagation of terahertz radiation through random structures: An alternative theoretical approach and experimental validation , 2007 .

[24]  Mira Naftaly,et al.  An etalon-based method for frequency calibration of terahertz time-domain spectrometers (THz TDS) , 2010 .

[25]  Mira Naftaly,et al.  Line strengths and self-broadening of pure rotational lines of carbon monoxide measured by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy , 2010 .

[26]  M. Garcia-Gracia,et al.  Error propagation for the transformation of time domain into frequency domain , 1997 .

[27]  M. F. Kimmitt,et al.  Terahertz Spectroscopy: System and Sensitivity Considerations , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology.

[28]  R. Schouten,et al.  Design and performance of a THz emission and detection setup based on a semi-insulating GaAs emitter , 2002 .

[29]  Derek Abbott,et al.  Measurement of linearity in THz-TDS , 2009, 2009 34th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves.

[30]  Iwao Hosako,et al.  Practical method to estimate the standard deviation in absorption coefficients measured with THz time-domain spectroscopy , 2010 .

[31]  Samuel L. Braunstein,et al.  EXPERIMENTAL SIGNATURE OF REGISTRATION NOISE IN PULSED TERAHERTZ SYSTEMS , 2006 .

[32]  Gun-Sik Park,et al.  Focused beam effect on measuring precise optical parameters of liquid water with terahertz time domain spectroscopy , 2011, 2011 International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves.

[33]  S. Hadjiloucas,et al.  The consequences of diffractively spreading beams in ultrafast THz spectroscopy , 2004, Infrared and Millimeter Waves, Conference Digest of the 2004 Joint 29th International Conference on 2004 and 12th International Conference on Terahertz Electronics, 2004..