Breakthrough in terahertz detection: DTU researchers achieve ultra-broadband, scanning-free detection

Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have made a groundbreaking advancement in terahertz (THz) detection, enabling ultra-broadband and scanning-free detection of THz waveforms. This innovation paves the way for faster and more efficient analysis of high-energy, low-repetition-rate THz pulses, with broad applications in material science and extreme nonlinear spectroscopy.

A Milestone in THz Technology

Led by Associate Professor Binbin Zhou and his team at DTU, the study introduces a single-shot-capable THz detection technique for capturing broadband THz waveforms up to 30 THz. Unlike conventional methods that rely on time-consuming scanning techniques, this novel approach provides real-time monitoring of THz pulses in a single acquisition. The work has been published in Ultrafast Science, a Science Partner journal, and is expected to have a significant impact on the field.

The Science Behind the Discovery

This breakthrough method utilizes a 1-micron-thick silicon nitride (SiN) detection chip, leveraging THz field-induced second harmonic generation (TFISH) to map THz signals. By optimizing the detection process, researchers have achieved unprecedented scanning-free ultra-broadband detection across the entire THz spectrum. This technique overcomes long-standing bandwidth limitations in single-shot THz detection, making it possible to study previously inaccessible THz dynamics with high precision.

Impact and Future Applications

This advancement is particularly valuable for high-energy THz sources, such as those generated by large-scale laser facilities, which produce low-repetition-rate pulses with extreme field strengths. The new detection method unlocks new frontiers in THz spectroscopy, allowing researchers to explore ultrafast electronic and molecular dynamics in unprecedented ways.
Beyond fundamental research, this technology holds significant potential for real-world applications, including non-invasive imaging, biomedical diagnostics, and security screening.  

Looking Ahead

The research team is now focusing on enhancing the system’s sensitivity and acquisition speed. They are integrating this single-shot detection technique into large-scale, high-energy THz facilities, aiming to enable an extreme nonlinear THz spectroscopy platform. Further optimization of detection materials and the integration of high-speed cameras could unlock even more significant potential, opening new opportunities for real-time THz measurements in both scientific and industrial settings.