Dynamic THz photonics

Prof. David G. Cooke
Department of Physics, McGill University

Abstract

Terahertz frequency light is both a valuable spectroscopic tool to interrogate matter and, according to some, the next generation playground for ultra-high speed wireless communications. Technologies for advanced, active manipulation of THz light in both space and time are highly desired, yet to date are missing. In this talk I discuss a new platform invented in our lab capable of controlling the spatio-temporal profile of THz light based on a light-addressable silicon-filled waveguide. The platform allows virtually any metal-dielectric photonic structure to be created within the 2D waveguide, both statically and dynamically on time scales that are faster than the pulse transit time. I will talk about several functionalities enabled by this platform, including arbitrary pulse shaping, complex phase control and most recently the dynamic trapping of a light pulse beyond the delay-bandwidth limit of a static resonator. Finally, I will talk about some new, exciting and puzzling measurements related THz interactions with a spatio-temporal photonic landscape.