On focusing of terahertz radiation beams and pulses

Abstract

We show that, for terahertz (THz) radiation, the effective focal length of a lens differs significantly from its geometrical-optics (nominal) focal length. As a pulse of THz radiation with a bell-shaped (Gaussian) transverse profile is incident on a lens, the field-amplitude distribution in the nominally focal plane of the lens may radically change, up to the formation of dips in the paraxial region. These changes in the spatiotemporal shape of the beam (pulse) may considerably distort the results of pulsed THz spectroscopy. These distortions can be minimized by using media with anomalous dispersion, including metamaterials.