We present a detailed analysis of the design, fabrication and testing of a silicon based, microfluidic cell, for transmission terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. The sensitivity of the device is tested through a range of experiments involving primary alcohol/water mixtures. The dielectric properties of these solutions are subsequently extracted using a Nelder–Mead search algorithm, and are in good agreement with literature values obtained via alternative techniques. Quantities in the order of 2 μmol can be easily distinguished for primary alcohols in solution, even with the subwavelength optical path lengths used. A further display of the device sensitivity is shown through the analysis of commercial whiskeys, where there are clear, detectable differences between samples. Slight absorption variations were identified between samples of the same commercial brand, owing to a 2.5% difference in their alcoholic content. Results from data taken on subsequent days after system realignment are also presented, confirming the robustness of the technique, and the data extraction algorithm used. One final experiment, showing the possible use of this device to analyze aqueous biological samples is detailed; where biotin, a molecule known for its specific terahertz absorptions, is analyzed in solution. The device sensitivity is once again displayed, where quantities of 3 nmol can be clearly detected between samples.

A procedure is outlined which can be used to determine the response of an experimental sample to a single, simple broadband frequency pulse in terahertz frequency time domain spectroscopy (TDS). The advantage that accrues from this approach is that oscillations and spurious signals (arising from a variety of sources in the TDS system or from ambient water vapor) can be suppressed. In consequence, small signals (arising from the interaction of the radiation with the sample) can be more readily observed in the presence of noise. Procedures for choosing key parameters and methods for eliminating further artifacts are described. In particular, the use of input functions which are based on the binomial distribution is described. These binomial functions are used to unscramble the sample response to a simple pulse: they have sufficient flexibility to allow for variations in the spectra of different terahertz sources, some of which have low frequency as well as high frequency cutoffs. The signal processing procedure is validated by simple reflection and transmission experiments using a gap between polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) plates to mimic a void within a larger material. It is shown that a resolution of 100μm is easily achievable in reflection geometry after signal processing.

. (2011) 'Negative refraction and the spectral ltering of terahertz radiation by a photonic crystal prism.', Optics letters., 36 (9). pp. 1641-1643. Further information on publisher's website:http://dx

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Here we present a silicon based, micro‐machined fluidic device for terahertz frequencies, fabricated using standard lithographic and micro‐machining processes in a cleanroom environment. Designed for use in a conventional transmission terahertz time‐domain spectroscopy (THz‐TDS) arrangement, we present a possible solution to the ‘water problem’ currently hampering the analysis of aqueous and biological systems at THz frequencies. We detail results from a range of experiments, highlighting the device sensitivity and potential, wide‐ranging applications. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)