Quantum light boost for THz spectroscopy
European researchers have used quantum light to improve the performance of cutting-edge terahertz spectroscopy.
The technique, using two entangled photons, enables measurements of infrared electric fields which are twice as sensitive as previous time-domain spectroscopy measurement systems.
Time-domain spectroscopy uses ultra-short pulses of laser light which pass through or are reflected from samples of materials to measure the molecular composition. However thi scan be limited by the resolution of the lasers and the shot noise.
Using the entangled photons from a 1030nm, 250f, 100kHz laser, with the same shot noise, improves the signal to noise ratio for improved resolution in measuring the infrared field.
“Although the technology is still developing, in the future time-domain spectroscopy could help us better understand what materials are made of, detect contaminants or traces of dangerous material like explosives in the atmosphere,” said Professor Matteo Clerici, of the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering and the University of Insubria. “We’ve been working for several years now to apply quantum measurement techniques to time-domain spectroscopy, and this paper demonstrates the effectiveness of quantum radiation for increasing the sensitivity of the technique.”
“The next steps for us are to look at ways to enhance the technique beyond what we’ve been able to achieve so far. That will likely involve adapting interferometry techniques like those used in gravitational wave detectors to improve the sensitivity of the process.”
Researchers from Loughborough University and the University of Strathclyde also contributed to the development of the new technique.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt2187
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