Terahertz (THz) radiation interacts strongly with the intermolecular hydrogen-bond network in aqueous liquids. The dielectric properties of liquid water and aqueous solutions in the THz spectral region are closely linked to the microscopic dynamics of the liquid solution, and hence THz spectroscopy offers an important insight into fundamental intermolecular interactions in polar liquids. At the same time, the strong and characteristic interaction between THz radiation and liquids offers a methodology for the classification of liquids inside containers, and hence the THz region is suitable for remote detection of some of the properties of bottled liquids. Here we present a review of THz spectroscopy and modeling of water–ethanol mixtures, and establish a link between the dielectric function of water–ethanol mixtures and some of their thermodynamic properties. We then review how the knowledge of the dielectric function of aqueous mixtures can be used for inspection of liquids inside bottles. Finally we draw up some of the limits to the applicability of THz reflection spectroscopy in the identification of dangerous liquids.

© 2009 Optical Society of America

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Citation lists with outbound citation links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Figure files are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Article level metrics are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

Related Journal Articles

• Material thickness optimization for transmission-mode terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (OE)
• Uncertainty in terahertz time-domain spectroscopy measurement (JOSAB)
• All-fiber terahertz time-domain spectrometer operating at 1.5 μm telecom wavelengths (OE)
• Nondestructive evaluation of aircraft composites using transmissive terahertz time domain spectroscopy (OE)
• THz conductivities of indium-tin-oxide nanowhiskers as a graded-refractive-index structure (OE)

Related Conference Papers

• Determining Thickness Independently from Optical Constants Using Ultrafast Spectral Interferometry
• Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors for Real-Time Health Monitoring of Aerospace Vehicles
• Non-destructive inspection techniques for illicit drugs using terahertz imaging
• Terahertz Time Domain Spectroscopy for Nondestructive Testing and Sensing Applications
• Suspended core polyethylene fiber for bio-sensing applications in the terahertz region
• Suspended core polyethylene fiber for bio-sensing applications in the terahertz region