Terahertz spectroscopy – yesterday, today and tomorrow

THz spectroscopy exploits the farthest region of the infrared, at very long wavelengths. In this interesting spectral range we observe fingerprint spectra of explosives and other solid chemicals, we observe the interplay between molecules in the liquid phase, and we observe the motion of electrons in semiconductors.

Bordering the microwave and optical regime, the THz region has traditionally been difficult to access. Recent technological developments have changed this, and today portable, high-performance spectroscopy tools for investigation of the THz range is available. In this presentation I will briefly outline the technological challenge for THz spectroscopy, give selected examples of spectroscopic applications, and demonstrate portable instrumentation for THz spectroscopy and imaging.