title: Sub-wavelength terahertz beam profiling of a THz source via an all-optical knife-edge technique.
abstract: Terahertz technologies recently emerged as outstanding candidates for a variety of applications in such sectors as security, biomedical, pharmaceutical, aero spatial, etc. Imaging the terahertz field, however, still remains a challenge, particularly when sub-wavelength resolutions are involved. Here we demonstrate an all-optical technique for the terahertz near-field imaging directly at the source plane. A thin layer (<100 nm-thickness) of photo carriers is induced on the surface of the terahertz generation crystal, which acts as an all-optical, virtual blade for terahertz near-field imaging via a knife-edge technique. Remarkably, and in spite of the fact that the proposed approach does not require any mechanical probe, such as tips or apertures, we are able to demonstrate the imaging of a terahertz source with deeply sub-wavelength features (<30 μm) directly in its emission plane.
authors.affiliation: 1] INRS-EMT, University of Quebec, 1650, Blvd. Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Quebec J3X 1S2, Canada [2] Laser Centre, Ibnu Sina ISIR, UTM, 81310 UTM Skudai, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Sze Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Phing
authors.affiliation: INRS-EMT, University of Quebec, 1650, Blvd. Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Quebec J3X 1S2, Canada.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazhorova
authors.affiliation: INRS-EMT, University of Quebec, 1650, Blvd. Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Quebec J3X 1S2, Canada.
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shalaby
authors.affiliation: 1] INRS-EMT, University of Quebec, 1650, Blvd. Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Quebec J3X 1S2, Canada [2] Department of Physics and Astronomy, Pevensey Building II, 3A8, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QH, UK.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peccianti
authors.affiliation: 1] INRS-EMT, University of Quebec, 1650, Blvd. Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Quebec J3X 1S2, Canada [2] School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clerici
authors.affiliation: 1] INRS-EMT, University of Quebec, 1650, Blvd. Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Quebec J3X 1S2, Canada [2] Department of Physics and Astronomy, Pevensey Building II, 3A8, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QH, UK.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pasquazi
authors.affiliation: 1] INRS-EMT, University of Quebec, 1650, Blvd. Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Quebec J3X 1S2, Canada [2] Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yavuz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.affiliation: Laser Centre, Ibnu Sina ISIR, UTM, 81310 UTM Skudai, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Jalil
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: INRS-EMT, University of Quebec, 1650, Blvd. Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Quebec J3X 1S2, Canada.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morandotti