Terahertz Time-Domain Polarimetry for Principal Optical Axes of Anisotropic Crystals

Abstract

We propose a method for measuring the terahertz properties for two principal optical axes of anisotropic crystals without optical activity using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). The method put forward in this paper utilizes the inherent polarization sensitivity of the THz-TDS electro-optic detection system. We demonstrate the practical application of the method by measuring the temperature dependence of the refractive index and the absorption coefficient of a lithium triborate crystal for three optical axes.

Keywords

• terahertz
• THz-TDS
• polarimetry
• refractive index
• absorption
• anisotropy