Terahertz photonic heterodyne spectral analysis with (sub-) kHz resolution and 6.5 THz frequency coverage.

ABSTRACT: Spectrum analyzers and spectrometers are essential for designing sources, analyzing material properties, layer structures and fingerprinting substances. We present an ultra-wideband, continuous-wave photonic receiver with kHz-level spectral resolution in the terahertz domain for both heterodyne and homodyne detection. Employed as a spectrum analyzer front end, it records the emitted spectrum of a source under test, assessing spectral purity, spectral shape and undesired frequency components. It outperforms state-of-the-art electronic systems in terms of frequency coverage and system cost with a competitive spectral resolution and noise floor on the few aW/Hz level at room temperature. It covers the important frequencies above 1.5 THz, yet commercially inaccessible, where sources like quant

SUBMITTER: Krause B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12658009 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature