Comparison of ultra-wideband THz generation and detection systems

The merits of four ultra-wideband terahertz (THz) generation and detection systems (using ultra-short laser pulses) are reviewed. These systems are basically formed by THz photoconductive (PC) antennas and Electro-Optic (EO) crystals as the emitter and/or receiver and the performance of these components is compared from spectral range and signal to noise ratio (SNR) points of view. The performance of the whole system is discussed with the aim to aid the selection of the appropriate emitter-receiver combination when setting up a THz coherent generation and detection system. As an example, the experimental results obtained using two different systems (EO crystal as the receiver, PC antenna and EO crystal as the emitter) at the University of Liverpool are presented and examined from the SNR and bandwidth points of view.