Terahertz Techniques, 2012 Springer Series in Optical Sciences Series, Vol. 151

Research and development in the terahertz portion of the electromagnetic spectrum has expanded very rapidly during the past fifteen years due to major advances in sources, detectors and instrumentation. Many scientists and engineers are entering the field and this volume offers a comprehensive and integrated treatment of all aspects of terahertz technology. The three authors, who have been active researchers in this region over a number of years, have designed Terahertz Techniques to be both a general introduction to the subject and a definitive reference resource for all those involved in this exciting research area.

Introduction.- Optical Principles at THz Frequencies.- Optical Components.- Sources.- Detectors.- Spectroscopic Methods.- Imaging.- Examples of Experiments.

Erik Bründermann and Heinz-Wilhelm Hübers met in 1986 at the Universität Bonn while studying physics, mathematics, and astronomy; and physics and medicine, respectively. In 1991, they both received diploma degrees in different areas of THz technology while working at the Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie (MPIfR) within the group of Hans-Peter Röser. Since Maurice Kimmitt became associated with their research efforts at the MPIfR in 1990, they have shared a longstanding appreciation of each other and become the firmest of friends both inside and outside the laboratory.

Erik Bründermann received a Dr. rer. nat. degree in physics and mineralogy in 1994 while working at the MPIfR, and then he joined the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR, German Aerospace Center) in Berlin. In 1997, he was awarded a Feodor Lynen-fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt-foundation, which took him to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Center for Particle Astrophysics. There, together with his host, Eugene E. Haller, he filed a patent on Ge and Si THz lasers. After 2 years in the USA as a visiting researcher, he became a member of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB), currently as permanent staff scientist serving also as technical advisor to the Applied Competence Cluster (ACC) THz at RUB. His research interests are in physics, mathematics, life science, and technology, spanning the entire spectral range from the THz region to the visible. Within the faculty of chemistry and biochemistry, he developed THz techniques for applications, especially for liquid samples in living conditions. Due to his interest in hyperspectral, multimodal, and multidimensional imaging, he initiated the development of chemical nanoscopes at RUB, which are used for nanoscale objects, molecules, and living cells. For his contribution to the development of a combined microscopy method, he received an Innovation Prize of RUB in 2007. Teaching is an integral part of his daily l