We demonstrate that the integrated sub-wavelength aperture probe designed for THz near-field scanning probe microscopy can be used to map surface plasmon waves at THz frequencies. Observed near-field images of metallic patterns reveal surface plasmon waves superimposed over THz transmission images. We discuss the coupling mechanism for the surface waves and arrive to an important conclusion that the detected surface wave images represent the spatial derivative of the surface plasmon electric field. The relationship between the electric field and the measured signal is confirmed experimentally by mapping surface waves in bow-tie antennas. This study explains previously observed effects in THz near-field microscopy and provides a framework for analysis of near-field images.

Surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waves formed near a tightly focused THz beam on a metallic surface are detected by an integrated sub-wavelength aperture THz near-field probe. The probe allows mapping the electric field pattern of the SPP wave and tracking the SPP propagation from the center of the focal spot. The SPP nature of the observed wave is confirmed by time-resolved measurements. Analysis of the detected patterns leads to an explanation of how THz SPP waves can be detected by the integrated sub-wavelength aperture probe.

We have modelled the experimental system based on the sub-wavelength aperture probe employed in our previous work for terahertz (THz) surface plasmon wave imaging on a bowtie antenna. For the first time we demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed interpretation of the images mapped by the probe. The very good agreement between numerical and experimental results proves that the physical quantity detected by the probe is the spatial derivative of the electric field normal component. The achieved understanding of the near-field probe response allows now a correct interpretation of the images and the distribution of the electric field to be extracted. We have also carried out the first assessment of the probe invasiveness and found that the pattern of the surface plasmon wave on the antenna is not modified significantly by the proximity of the probe. This makes the experimental system an effective tool for near-field imaging of THz antennas and other metallic structures.

Abstract-Excitation of photo-current transients at semiconductor surfaces by sub-picosecond optical pulses gives rise to emission of electromagnetic pulses of terahertz (THz) frequency radiation. To correlate the THz emission with the photo-excited charge density distribution and the photo-current direction, we mapped near-field and far-field distributions of the generated THz waves from GaAs and Fe-doped InGaAs surfaces. The experimental results show that the charge dynamics in the plane of the surface can radiate substantially stronger THz pulses than the charge dynamics in the direction normal to the surface, which is generally regarded as the dominant origin of the emission.

To exploit tapered parallel plate waveguides for broadband terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, the impact of the waveguide geometry on transmission of terahertz pulses is investigated experimentally. We find that the approximation of single transverse electro-magnetic mode propagation is insufficient for describing the observed behavior. The TE02 mode plays a particularly important role. The mode composition, however, can be controlled by the gap between the waveguide plates, which affects the main loss mechanism, radiation leakage, and group velocity for the TE02 mode. Balancing the waveguide loss and coupling efficiencies results in an optimal gap for the tapered waveguide.

Abstract-Photo-excited charge carriers at semiconductor surfaces generate pulses of terahertz (THz) radiation. By mapping the spatial distribution of the THz radiation in the near-field and the angular emission pattern in the far-field, we link the THz generation process to the photo-current direction. We find that inplane carrier dynamics play an important role and can even be the dominant source of THz radiation.

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