Quantum Sensing Breakthrough: Terahertz Technology Unveiled

Researchers at Rice University have made a breakthrough in terahertz technology by leveraging the unique properties of strontium titanate, an oxide of strontium and titanium. By utilizing the strong interaction between terahertz light and the atomic structures of strontium titanate, the researchers were able to create phonon-polaritons, which are confined to the surface of the material and not lost inside it. This discovery opens up possibilities for studying and developing quantum materials for quantum electronics and sensing functional groups in biomolecules for medical diagnosis. The research could lead to the development of photonic devices in the 3-19 terahertz range.