Single-shot terahertz spectrometer using a microbolometer camera

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple, single-shot terahertz spectrometer using a modified interferometer and microbolometer camera, capable of measuring spectral properties without moving parts or ultrashort lasers, effective in 10-40 THz range.

Contribution

It presents a novel, easy-to-use terahertz spectrometer that can measure autocorrelations and spectral power without complex moving parts or ultrashort lasers.

Findings

Effective detection at 10-40 THz with thermal source

Capable of measuring complex refractive index

Potential to cover 1-10 THz with specialized detectors

Abstract

We demonstrate a single-shot terahertz spectrometer consisting of a modified Mach-Zehnder interferometer and a microbolometer focal plane array. The spectrometer is simple to use and can measure terahertz field autocorrelations and spectral power with no moving parts and no ultrashort-pulsed laser. It can effectively detect radiation at 10$\sim$40 THz when tested with a thermal source. It can be also used to measure the complex refractive index of a sample material. In principle, it can characterize both laser-based and non-laser-based terahertz sources and potentially cover 1$\sim$10 THz with specially-designed terahertz microbolometers.