Friday, January 22, 2016

Book Review-Terahertz Astronomy


CRC Press, 2016; 335 pp; $129.95 (hardcover)
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In a seminal paper about terahertz (THz) technology, Peter H. Sigel pointed out that “98 percent of the photons emitted since the Big Bang fall into the submillimeter and far-IR,” i.e., the THz spectrum. However, it is not easy to observe them since the THz spectrum, despite advances in the last few years, is very scarce in receiving devices and circuits compared with the optical or microwave spectrum, where astronomy is rapidly developing due to the huge progress made in miniaturization of semiconductor devices.
 
The book is divided into two main parts. The first part is devoted to astrophysical sources in THz region and methods to interpret them. The second part is dedicated to THz technologies for THz wave detection, such as THz heterodyne receivers, bolometers, waveguides, antennas and lenses.
 
The book is beautifully illustrated, having a long list of references and worked examples at the end of each chapter. I would recommend the book to students and researchers working in THz technologies and astronomy. 
Review by Mircea Dragoman, National Research Institute in Microtechnology, Romania
The opinions expressed in the book review section are those of the reviewer and do not necessarily reflect those of OPN or OSA.

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