Wideband 15THz response using organic electro-optic polymer emitter-sensor pairs at telecommunication wavelengths

Abstract

Poled polymer films are employed in terahertz emission and detection using telecommunication wavelength femtosecond pulses. Films 10–15μm thick with electro-optic coefficients as high as 160pm∕V at 1300nm are used to generate and sense subpicosecond pulses with continuous bandwidth up to 15THz. Terahertz emission from a poled polymer film is compared to terahertz emission from the organic crystal DAST. The use of a poled polymer as the terahertz sensor allows the identification of DAST phonons at 1.1, 3.0, 5.3, 8.5, and 12.5THz.