CERN Accelerating science

Article
Title	Overview of Terahertz Radiation Sources
Author(s)	Gallerano, G P
Affiliation	(ENEA C.R. Frascati, Frascati - Roma ANL, Argonne, Illinois)
Publication	2004
In:	26th International Free Electron Laser Conference and 11th FEL User Workshop 2004, Trieste, Italy, 29 Aug - 3 Sep 2004, pp.e-proc. FRBIS02
Subject category	Accelerators and Storage Rings
Abstract	Although Terahertz (THz) radiation was first observed about hundred years ago, the corresponding portion of the electromagnetic spectrum has been for long time considered a rather poorly explored region at the boundary between the microwaves and the infrared. This situation has changed during the past ten years with the rapid development of coherent THz sources, such as quantum cascade laser, diodes, optically pumped solid state devices and novel free electron devices, which have in turn stimulated a wide variety of applications from material science to telecommunications, from biology to biomedicine. In this paper we review the development and perspectives of THz radiation sources and their applications with particular emphasis on the research effort carried out and planned in the frame of various European programs.