Rigorous modeling and physical interpretation of terahertz near-field imaging

Y. Li; S. Popov; A. T. Friberg; S. Sergeyev

doi:10.2971/jeos.2009.09007

Journal of the European Optical Society - Rapid publications, Vol 4 (2009)

Rigorous modeling and physical interpretation of terahertz near-field imaging

Y. Li, S. Popov, A. T. Friberg, S. Sergeyev

Abstract

Apertureless scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) operating with terahertz (THz) laser pulses is a subject of great research interest. The Mie scattering theory is commonly used to explain the features of the optical waves produced by field interactions with SNOM tips and microstructures. However, since Mie scattering fails with SNOMs at submillimeter wavelengths, a rigorous model and analysis are desirable to assess the feasibility of the THz tip-enhanced scanning near-field techniques. In this paper, we present a numerical simulation of an apertureless SNOM imaging system in the THz band. A 2-dimensional model based on the finite element method (FEM) is investigated and discussed. The modeling results are in good agreement with the experimental data obtained for this system at 2 THz radiation [H.-T. Chen at al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 267401 (2004)]. Additionally, a physical interpretation using the antenna theory is successfully confirmed by the simulation results.

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