THz photonics, an extension of microwave photonics that emerged in the mid-1980s, represents a journey from scientific curiosity to transformative technology. Advances in ultrashort-pulse lasers, optical rectification, novel electro-optic materials, and growing industrial opportunities have established THz photonics as a distinct field within the broader THz community. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has made significant contributions to the development of THz photonics. In this talk, I will present a historical review of the development of THz air photonics at RPI (1992–2011) and THz liquid photonics at the University of Rochester (2012–present). Selective THz wave generation, detection, sensing and imaging application will be highlighted.
Professor Xi-Cheng Zhang, the M. Parker Givens Professor of Optics, was the Director of The Institute of Optics (2012–2017), a foremost institution in optics and optical physics research and education at the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York.
Prior to joining the University of Rochester, he pioneered world-leading research in the field of ultrafast laser - based on terahertz technology and optical physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York (1992-2012). At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he was the Eric Jonsson Professor of Science, Acting Head at the Department of Physics, Applied Physics & Astronomy; Professor of Electrical, Computer & System, and Founding Director of the Center for THz Research. He is the
Prof. Zhang received 29 US patents; authored and co-authored 24 books and book chapters, 330 refereed papers; delivered 500 colloquia, seminars, invited conference presentations, and 200 contributed conference talks. His H-index is 94. (Last updated on Google Scholar 09/2022).