METHOD OF LOCAL ELECTRO-MAGNETIC FIELD ENHANCEMENT OF TERAHERTZ (THZ) RADIATION IN SUB WAVELENGTH REGIONS AND IMPROVED COUPLING OF RADIATION TO MATERIALS THROUGH THE USE OF THE DISCONTINUITY EDGE EFFECT

摘要

A method and apparatus for enhanced THz radiation coupling to molecules, includes the steps of depositing a test material near the discontinuity edge s of a slotted member, and enhancing the THz radiation by transmitting THz r adiation through the slots. The molecules of the test material are illuminat ed by the enhanced THz radiation that has been transmitted through the slots , thereby producing an increased coupling of EM radiation in the THz spectra l range to said material. The molecules can be bio- molecules, explosive mat erials, or species of organisms. The slotted member can be a semiconductor f ilm, a metallic film, in particular InSb, or layers thereof. THz detectors s ense near field THz radiation that has been transmitted through said slots a nd the test material.