On reflection of terahertz radiation from a rough surface

Abstract

We computationally analyze the influence of random inhomogeneities of the interface surface between two media that are diagnosed by the pulsed THz spectroscopy method. The statistics of inhomogeneities is characterized by the rms dispersion and correlation radius. The medium to be diagnosed is modeled by a Lorentz contour, the position and the width of which can serve as recognizable indicators. For monochromatic radiation and for a radiation pulse with a wide spectrum (close to the video pulse), a signal at a “point” detector is calculated in the absence and in the presence of inhomogeneities. The results yield conditions under which inhomogeneities significantly affect the recognition of different substances.