A tunable THz source for spectroscopy and imaging applications

A tunable terahertz source (TTS) is being developed for commercial use by Vermont Photonics under exclusive license. The TTS is based on the Smith-Purcell free electron laser first reported in Urata et al. (1998). The TTS is continuously tunable from less than 0.3 THz to more than 3 THz (10-100 cm/sup -1/). It can be operated CW or pulsed, with repetition rates from DC to kHz. Detailed output characteristics are presented along with examples of use in spectroscopy systems using a grating monochromator, a Fourier transform interferometer or a scanning Fabry Perot etalon.