Kyung Ik Sim

Reflection terahertz time-domain spectroscopy of RDX and HMX explosives

We report on our study of RDX and HMX, two of the most commonly used explosive materials, in bulk pellets with reflection terahertz time-domain spectroscopy in the frequency range of 0.3–3 THz. The maximum entropy method was utilized to correct our raw reflection data against the phase error due to the relative displacement between the sample and the reference. Both the refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k in the terahertz region were acquired for these two explosives without a Kramers-Kronig analysis. Both RDX and HMX exhibit a series of distinct peaks not quite detectable in the more conventional transmission-type measurements due to their high terahertz absorptivity. Our results are compared with the literature data on powder samples.

Terahertz single conductance quantum and topological phase transitions in topological insulator Bi2Se3 ultrathin films

Strong spin-orbit interaction and time-reversal symmetry in topological insulators generate novel quantum states called topological surface states. Their study provides unique opportunities to explore exotic phenomena such as spin Hall effects and topological phase transitions, relevant to the development of quantum devices for spintronics and quantum computation. Although ultrahigh-vacuum surface probes can identify individual topological surface states, standard electrical and optical experiments have so far been hampered by the interference of bulk and quantum well states. Here, with terahertz time-domain spectroscopy of ultrathin Bi₂Se₃ films, we give evidence for topological phase transitions, a single conductance quantum per topological surface state, and a quantized terahertz absorbance of 2.9% (four times the fine structure constant). Our experiment demonstrates the feasibility to isolate, detect and manipulate topological surface states in the ambient at room temperature for future fundamental research on the novel physics of topological insulators and their practical applications.

Terahertz and optical study of monolayer graphene processed by plasma oxidation

We report on our terahertz and optical study of monolayer graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition and processed by plasma oxidation. The plasma oxidation induces oxygen-related defects, and the resulting disorder increases the sheet resistance of graphene as measured via terahertz spectroscopy. The excitonic absorption peak weakens considerably and blue shifts upon plasma oxidation, resulting in higher transmittance in both the visible and ultraviolet regions. Our oxygen plasma-treated graphene also exhibits a free-carrier doping effect as confirmed by the blue shift of the Raman G band.

Thermoelectric properties of Mg3Sb2−xBix single crystals grown by Bridgman method

We studied the low-temperature thermoelectric properties of single crystals of Mg3Sb2−xBix (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) grown by the Bridgman method. The crystals are well aligned along the hexagonal c axis as documented in the huge anisotropy of the electrical resistivity; ρ//c/ρ⊥c = 100 for x = 2. Upon increasing x, the semiconducting behaviour in ρ(T) changes to the metallic behaviour, and the Seebeck coefficient S(T) at room temperature decreases from 590 μV K−1 for x = 0 to 67 μV K−1 for x = 2. Although the thermal conductivity at 300 K is as low as 0.88 W mK−1 for x = 0.7, the large resistivity of 1 Ωcm leaves the figure of merit, ZT, at a low level of 5.8 × 10−3 at 300 K.

Terahertz electrodynamics and superconducting energy gap of NbTiN

Terahertz electrodynamics of superconducting NbTiN has been studied in the spectral range of 8-70 cm–1 above and below the critical temperature of Tc = 14.1 K. Our transmission terahertz time-domain spectroscopy technique allows for independent and accurate determination of both the real part σ1 and the imaginary part σ2 of the optical conductivity σ as a function of frequency ω and temperature T without a Kramers-Kronig analysis. A clear signature of the superconducting energy gap Δ(T) is observed in the real part σ1 of the optical conductivity below Tc, with 2Δ(0) = 36.5 cm−1 corresponding to 2Δ(0)/kBTc = 3.72. No indication of strong-coupling effects was observed in the imaginary part σ2 toward zero frequency. Our results, including the temperature dependence of the penetration depth λ(T), are in excellent quantitative agreement with weak coupling BCS theory and Mattis-Bardeen formula.

Study of Noncontact Condition Diagnosis on Painting with Terahertz Waves

회화문화재의 손상상태를 진단하기 위하여 현재까지 국내에서는 육안관찰, 적외선 촬영, X선 촬영 등이 활용되고 있으나 표면에서 확인되지 않는 하부층의 손상상태에 대한 3차원적 정보획득에는 한계점이 있었다. 본 연구에서는 최근 우리나라에서 문화재 분야에 막 응용되기 시작한 테라헤르츠 분광분석기술을 회화문화재...