Complex refractive indices in the TeraHertz domain of samples from atmospheric aerosol sources

• Published in: 2021 46th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz) pp. 1 - 2
• Main Authors: Bichon, J., Lavancier, M., Petitprez, D., Deguine, A., Hourlier, D., Deboudt, K., Herbin, H., Ducournau, G., Peretti, R., Eliet, S.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 29.08.2021; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• Subjects: Engineering Sciences; Ocean, Atmosphere; Optical filters; Optical imaging; Optical variables control; Physics; Polyethylene; Powders; Scanning electron microscopy; Sciences of the Universe; Spectroscopy; scanning electron microscopy; crystal morphology; filtration; terahertz wave spectra; aerosols; powders; X-ray chemical analysis; polymers; refractive index; calcium compounds
• ISBN: 1728194253; 9781728194257
• ISSN: 2162-2035
• DOI: 10.1109/IRMMW-THz50926.2021.9566988

We report the TeraHertz (THz) characterization of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) particles, one of the major components of desert dust, to determine the real and imaginary parts of their complex refractive indices. The optical characterization is done by TeraHertz Time Domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS) technique. CaCO 3 powders are diluted with High Density PolyEthylene (PE) at different concentrations (0.1% to 75% of CaCO 3 ) and compressed in pellets. Time-traces are then fitted using the Fit@TDS algorithm developed by Photonic TeraHertz group members, and the complex refractive indices are extracted. We support the optical characterization by a morphological characterization by Scanning Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX) analysis after resuspension of particles and filtration on a polycarbonate 0.2 µm pore filter.