Investigation of Terahertz technologies and their applications in U.S. nuclear weapon labs

Abstract:

Due to the rapid development of ultrafast laser technology，semiconductor technology and electronics，stable and reliable THz sources and detectors become available，which leads to flourish for Terahertz science and technology. This article describes the work carried out by major U.S. nuclear weapons laboratories and other national laboratories. The development trends of terahertz science and technology are analyzed as well. The possible applications of THz technologies are discussed in the research of weapon physics，including the characterization and the tuning of materials under extreme conditions，energetic materials chemical kinetics，and ultrafast diagnosis of shock wave and detonation physics.