This invention is directed to a unique imaging microscope operating within the electromagnetic terahertz frequency regime for medical applications. Unlike optical spectroscopes that only measure the intensity of light at specific frequencies, the terahertz domain allows for the precise measurements of the refractive index and absorption coefficient of samples that interact with the terahertz waves. Various liquids and gases molecules interact within the terahertz frequency band and their unique resonance lines allow their molecular structure to be identified.

The continued development of optical communications requires fast information processing. Therefore, ultrafast, all-optical systems and switches for basic processing at both ends of an optical transmission line are replacing electronic systems. However, there are speed and fabrication limits on present all-optical switches imposed by the properties of the materials presently used. This technology provides an improved ultrafast high sensitivity all-optical switch made from a single-walled carbon nanotube.

The current high-growth nature of digital communications demands higher speed serial communication circuits. Present day technologies barely manage to keep up with the present need to communicate at high speeds (e.g., gigabit, terabit, and higher transmission speeds). New techniques are needed to ensure that methods for serial communication can continue to expand and grow. A novel approach to high-frequency communications demands on serial communications circuits has been invented.

Cationic polymerization is employed in many commercially important applications, including, for example, decorative and abrasion resistant coatings, printing inks, adhesives, fiber reinforced composites, microelectronic encapsulations, tan coatings, pressure sensitive adhesives, high performance aerospace composites, fiber optic coatings, stereolithography, photoresist and holographic recording media. The term UV cure has also been applied to such processes because the polymerizations are typically induced by light having a wavelength in UV region below about 450 nm.

The current high-growth nature of digital communications demands higher speed serial communication circuits. Present day technologies barely manage to keep up with the present need to communicate at high speeds, e.g. gigabit, terabit, and higher transmission speeds. Multiplexers are often used but have different input and output rates, which can cause jitter in the output signal.

Freely propagating terahertz pulses are usually measured by sampling techniques such as photoconductive antenna or electro-optical sampling. Although these sampling techniques provide good signal-to-noise ratios and adequate temporal resolution, they cannot be used for measurement on a single-shot basis. The present invention provides a system for measuring a terahertz frequency pulse propagating in a free-space optical path using an optical streak camera and an electro-optical modulator.