System and method for monitoring changes in state of matter with terahertz radiation
AssigneePicometrix, Inc.
InventorSteven L Williamson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for using terahertz radiation to detect and monitor a substance undergoing a change in phase from a liquid phase to a solid phase or vice-versa is disclosed. By employing terahertz radiation in either the pulsed mode or in the continuous-wave (CW) mode, the system can non-invasively monitor these changes. The system uses the principle that matter in a liquid state will absorb and attenuate terahertz radiation to a larger degree than matter in a semisolid or solid state. Most terahertz radiation absorption occurs due to the rotational motions of molecules, i.e. either whole molecules or groups of atoms rotating about molecular bonds.
Claims31
A system for determining whether a sample under inspection is undergoing a change in state, the system comprising:
- a laser light source for generating laser light;
- an optically-driven terahertz transmitter which converts the laser light into terahertz electromagnetic radiation, wherein the terahertz electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through the sample;
- an optically-driven terahertz receiver positioned opposite the terahertz transmitter for receiving the terahertz electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the sample;
- and
- an analyzer for comparing the terahertz electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the optically-driven terahertz transmitter to the terahertz electromagnetic radiation received by optically-driven terahertz receiver to determine whether the sample is undergoing a change in state.
A method for determining whether a sample under inspection is undergoing a change in state, the method comprising:
- generating a coherent lightwave using a laser light source;
- converting the coherent lightwave into terahertz electromagnetic radiation using an optically-driven terahertz transmitter, wherein the optically-driven terahertz transmitter transmits the terahertz electromagnetic radiation through the sample;
- receiving the terahertz electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the sample using an optically-driven terahertz receiver positioned opposite the optically-driven terahertz transmitter;
- and
- comparing the transmitted terahertz electromagnetic radiation to the received terahertz electromagnetic radiation to determine whether the sample is undergoing a change in state.
A system for determining whether a sample under inspection is undergoing a change in state, the system comprising:
- a pulsed laser light source for generating a pulse of laser light;
- an optically-driven terahertz transmitter which converts the laser light into a pulse of terahertz electromagnetic radiation, wherein the terahertz electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through the sample;
- an optically-driven terahertz receiver positioned opposite the terahertz transmitter for receiving the terahertz electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the sample;
- a fiber delivery system for transmitting the laser light from the laser light source to the optically-driven terahertz transmitter and receiver;
- an optical delay device for introducing a delay in the transmission of the laser light from the laser light source to the optically-driven terahertz receiver;
- and
- an analyzer for comparing the terahertz electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the optically-driven terahertz transmitter to the terahertz electromagnetic radiation received by the optically-driven terahertz receiver to determine whether the sample is undergoing a change in state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.