Peeling adhesive tape emits electromagnetic radiation at terahertz frequencies

Mechanisms of x-ray emission from peeling adhesive tape

“…In this paper we present detailed experimental data on the number and angular distribution of x-ray photons as a function of pressure. We find that x-rays are emitted for pressures between p 0 =10 −3 and p 1 =10 −2 mBar, with ϳ10 6 counts/ ͑cm 2 s͒ recorded by a 256ϫ 256 pixel 2 silicon array sensor placed 35 mm from the tape. The main role of the tape is found to be the build-up of an acceleration potential sufficient to produce x-rays by bremsstrahlung of free electrons in a low-pressure gas.…”

“…Shading by the tape spool or by the tape pulled away from the spool can be ruled out for such small angles, as for the visible emission. 2 This angular distribution may provide important clues about the bremsstrahlung mechanisms of radiation. The thick solid line is the angular distribution of x-ray emission expected from the ordinary bremsstrahlung process, 12 proportional to: sin…”

Intense ultrashort terahertz pulses: generation and applications

“…Although a limited number of strong sources like gas lasers [5] have been available since the 1970's, this gap has only truly begun to close during the last two decades. Today a large variety of choices of tunable THz radiation sources are available such as Schottky diode mixers [6], quantum cascade lasers [7,8], backward wave oscillators [9], p-germanium lasers [10,11] as well as other interesting techniques [12] exist. Some very high average power continuous wave (cw) sources like nanosecond gas lasers [13] and free-electron lasers [14] have even enabled first studies of nonlinear effects in the THz range [15].…”

Terahertz surfoluminescence

“…The terahertz emission observed from peeling adhesive tape and attributed to charge separation between the sticky and slippery sides of the tape [6] may in part originate from the mechanism described here. The relative roles of the two mechanisms invite future study through further simulations.…”

“…For example, peeling adhesive tape in a vacuum produces X-ray [4] as well as radio-frequency [5] radiation. It has recently been reported that peeling adhesive tape also emits terahertz-frequency electromagnetic radiation [6]. This appears to be the first report of terahertz emission related to mechanoluminescence.…”