On-Chip Terahertz-Frequency Measurements of Liquids

Terahertz-frequency-range measurements can offer potential insight into the picosecond dynamics, and therefore function, of many chemical systems. There is a need to develop technologies capable of performing such measurements in aqueous and polar environments, particularly when it is necessary to m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Analytical chemistry (Washington) 2017-08, Vol.89 (15), p.7981-7987
Main Authors: Swithenbank, Matthew, Burnett, Andrew D, Russell, Christopher, Li, Lianhe H, Davies, Alexander Giles, Linfield, Edmund H, Cunningham, John E, Wood, Christopher D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alcohols
Biological properties
Biological samples
Chemistry
Electric power distribution
Fluids
Frequencies
Frequency dependence
Homology
Liquids
Mathematical models
Measurement
Microfluidics
Parameter sensitivity
Polar environments
Spectrum analysis
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Summary:Terahertz-frequency-range measurements can offer potential insight into the picosecond dynamics, and therefore function, of many chemical systems. There is a need to develop technologies capable of performing such measurements in aqueous and polar environments, particularly when it is necessary to maintain the full functionality of biological samples. In this study, we present a proof-of-concept technology comprising an on-chip planar Goubau line, integrated with a microfluidic channel, which is capable of low-loss, terahertz-frequency-range spectroscopic measurements of liquids. We also introduce a mathematical model that accounts for changes in the electric field distribution around the waveguide, allowing accurate, frequency-dependent liquid parameters to be extracted. We demonstrate the sensitivity of this technique by measuring a homologous alcohol series across the 0.1–0.8 THz frequency range.
ISSN:0003-2700
1520-6882
DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.7b01235