Gwyn P Williams 2006 Rep. Prog. Phys. 69 301 doi:10.1088/0034-4885/69/2/R01
Gwyn P Williams
Show affiliationsElectromagnetic waves centred at a frequency of 1 THz lie between photonics on the one hand and electronics on the other, and are very hard to generate and detect. However, since the THz part of the spectrum is energetically equivalent to many important physical, chemical and biological processes including superconducting gaps and protein dynamical processes, it is of great interest to facilitate experimental research in this region. This has stimulated major steps in the past decade for filling this gap in the usable spectrum. In this review paper we describe the evolution of a new generation of sources that boost the average power available in the THz region by more than a million-fold, making this region routinely accessible for the first time. This is achieved using two enhancement factors, namely relativistic electrons and super-radiance. We will also point to the scientific potential for discovery that is now enabled in this region.
41.20.Jb Electromagnetic wave propagation; radiowave propagation
Accelerators, beams and electromagnetism
Issue 2 (February 2006)
Received 8 August 2005, in final form 1 November 2005
Published 5 December 2005
Gwyn P Williams 2006 Rep. Prog. Phys. 69 301
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