Ultra-broadband optical detection from the visible to the terahertz range using a miniature quartz tuning fork.

We report and experimentally demonstrate a novel, to the best of our knowledge, sensitive and wideband optical detection strategy based on the light-induced thermoelastic effect in a miniature quartz tuning fork (mQTF) with low stiffness prongs. Compared with a traditional QTF, the soft prongs of the mQTF result in improved sensitivity. Experimental results demonstrate that the mQTF exhibits ∼54-fold superior sensitivity compared to a QTF, and the mQTF sensor has an ultra-broadband optical response, ranging from visible light to terahertz wavelengths. Its response time reaches 11.7 ms, and the minimum noise equivalent power (NEP) is measured to be 2.2 × 10-9 W Hz-1/2 at room temperature. The mQTF exhibits advantages in its cost-effectiveness, sensitivity, and ultra-broadband response, and provides a promising approach for the detection of low-dose optical and terahertz-wave radiation.

Citation

Cunguang Lou, Xin Liu, Yu Wang, Yu Zhang, Yifan Li, Jianquan Yao, Chao Chang, Yufei Ma, Xiuling Liu. Ultra-broadband optical detection from the visible to the terahertz range using a miniature quartz tuning fork. Optics letters. 2022 Apr 01;47(7):1875-1878

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PMID: 35363758

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