Optical Characteristics of Biological Molecules in the Terahertz Gap
Abstract
Terahertz Spectroscopy has been recently introduced as a promising technique for the collection of signature data in transmission spectra of biological materials including warfare agent simulants. To characterize material rather than sample, it is always desirable to obtain the material's optical properties as functions of frequency. In this work, we present results from parallel measurements of reflection and transmission spectra of biological molecules to enable detailed and direct calculation of refractive index and absorption coefficient spectra in the terahertz gap. DNA samples from herring and salmon as well as samples of Ovalbumin and Bacillus Subtillus spores have been characterized. The technique for simulation is described. Reflection spectra reveal resonance features similar to those demonstrated earlier for transmission, thereby affirming molecular vibrational modes in biological materials. The dispersion of refractive index and absorption coefficient is demonstrated within the Terahertz gap of 10 cm-1 to 25 cm-1.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA461590
Entities
People
- Andrew J. Gatesman
- Dwight Woolard
- Jerry Waldman
- Nathan S. Swami
- Ramakrishnan Parthasarathy
- Tatiana Globus
- Tatyana Khromova
Organizations
- University of Virginia