Kodo Kawase

The absence of non-destructive inspection techniques for illicit drugs hidden in mail envelopes has resulted in such drugs being smuggled across international borders freely. We have developed a novel basic technology for terahertz imaging, which allows detection and identification of drugs concealed in envelopes, by introducing the component spatial pattern analysis. The spatial distributions of the targets are obtained from terahertz multispectral transillumination images, using absorption spe

Widely tunable terahertz (THz) wave generation by optical parametric processes based on laser light scattering from the polariton mode of nonlinear crystals is reviewed. Using parametric oscillation of LiNbO3 or MgO-doped LiNbO3 crystal pumped by a nanosecond Q-switched Nd : YAG laser, we have realized widely tunable coherent THz-wave sources in the range between 0.7 and 3 THz, with a simple configuration. For the efficient coupling of the THz wave, a monolithic grating coupler or an Si-prism ar

Coherent THz-wave generation is demonstrated utilizing a grating coupler fabricated on the surface of a LiNbO3 crystal pumped by a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Wide tunability, sharp directivity, and high efficiency were achieved.

Among nonlinear materials, the organic ionic salt crystal 4-dimethylamino- N -methyl-4-stilbazolium-tosylate (DAST) is known for its large nonlinearity. We generated a coherent terahertz (THz) wave, using DAST, from the difference frequency between two oscillating wavelengths of an electronically tuned Ti:sapphire laser. In LiNbO(3), LiTaO(3), KTiOPO(4), and GaP crystals, THz-wave generation was not observed under the same experimental conditions. This result proves the high efficiency of DAST c

The first known demonstration of tunable terahertz-wave generation by difference-frequency generation of dual signal-wave quasi-phase-matched optical parametric oscillation was performed with periodically poled LiNbO(3) (PPLN) with a series of gratings. An organic ionic salt, 4-dimethylamino-N-methyl-4-stilbazolium-tosylate (DAST), was used as a nonlinear crystal. A compact terahertz-wave source resulted, and changing the temperature of the PPLN permitted the wavelength to be varied from 120 to

An injection-seeded nanosecond terahertz (THz) wave parametric generator was demonstrated using nonlinear crystals that were pumped by a single frequency Nd:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser. Spectrum narrowing to the Fourier transform limit (ν=1.58 THz, Δν<200 MHz) was achieved by injection seeding the idler wave (near-infrared Stokes). This resulted in a THz-wave output power (900 pJ/pulse, >100 mW peak) approximately 300 times higher than that of a conventional THz-wave parametric g

Until fairly recently, the terahertz range was considered little more than the dark gap that separated the two halves of the electromagnetic spectrum. Now scientists have come to view it as a bridge rife with possibilities for new applications and research.

A widely tunable THz wave has been parametrically generated and reported recently by us utilizing a LiNbO3 crystal with a monolithic grating coupler under a noncollinear phase matching condition. However, the output direction of the THz wave is strongly dependent on the generated frequency due to the nature of noncollinear phase matching, as well as the grating coupler. In this letter, a novel method for THz coupling is proposed using a low dispersion prism to eliminate almost completely the THz

Using room-temperature parametric oscillation of a LiNbO3 crystal pumped by a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with a simple configuration, we have realized a widely tunable coherent terahertz- (THz-) wave source in the range between 1 and 3 THz. Inasmuch as the THz wave is affected by total internal reflection at the crystal edge, we used a Si prism coupler to couple out the THz wave. We introduce an arrayed Si-prism coupler that increases the efficiency and decreases the diffraction angle. By use of th

We report on the development of a widely tunable (frequency: 0.7–2.4 THz and wavelength: 125–430 μm), injection-seeded THz-wave parametric generator (IS-TPG), which operates at room temperature. The spectral resolution (<100 MHz and 0.003 cm−1) is the Fourier transform limit of the nanosecond THz-wave pulse. The continuous scanning and narrow spectral bandwidth of the IS-TPG were verified in the absorption spectrum of low-pressure water vapor. The high peak power (>200 mW) of the o

We have suggested a wide range of real-life applications using novel terahertz imaging techniques. A high-resolution terahertz tomography has been demonstrated by ultra short terahertz pulses using optical fiber and a nonlinear organic crystal. We also describe a nondestructive inspection system that can monitor the soot distribution in a ceramic filter using millimeter-to-terahertz wave computed tomography. Further, we report on the thickness measurement of very thin films using high-sensitivit

We have studied the generation of terahertz (THz) waves by optical parametric processes based on laser light scattering from the polariton mode of nonlinear crystals. Using parametric oscillation of LiNbO3 or MgO-doped LiNbO3 crystal pumped by a nano-second Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, we have realized a widely tunable coherent THz-wave source with a simple configuration. We report the detailed characteristics of the oscillation and the radiation including tunability, spatial and temporal coherency,

In this Letter, we developed a high-sensitivity multi-stage terahertz (THz)-wave parametric detection system that operates at room temperature. This detection system has high sensitivity over a wide wavelength range through upconversion of a THz wave to near-infrared light. The broadband noise associated with parametric generation limited the detection sensitivity in the previous setup; however, in the multi-stage configuration using multiple <i>L</i><i>i</i><i>N</i><i>b</i><i>O</i>₃