Phonon polariton interaction with patterned materials

Abstract

The generation, propagation and detection of THz phonon polaritons are studied through both femtosecond pump-probe techniques, and Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulations in this thesis. The theory surrounding the driving, propagation and detection of these modes is treated in a consistent notational system for both analytical solutions and approximate simulated responses. FDTD simulations in one, two and three dimensions are designed to best mimic lab experimental parameters, with various approximations of both THz pumping and probing developed. Various improvements on the FDTD method with the goal of more rapid simulations and more accurately described simulations of lab experiments from generation to detection are considered and developed. Experiments on phonon-polaritons interacting with periodicity and confinement in one, two, and three dimensions are all considered, and methods of data processing developed. By comparing FDTD simulation results to experimental results, the full three dimensional fields within these crystals can be investigated, and in many cases fully defined. The methods demonstrated open up new possibilities for THz spectroscopy in waveguides, microfluidics, and related platforms that include THz generation, propagation, interaction with the sample material, and detection in a compact, integrated structure. The methods also enable the proper description of large-amplitude THz generation and applications in nonlinear THz spectroscopy. Finally, linear and nonlinear THz signal processing applications my exploit the experimental and modeling methods described in this thesis.