Monolithic Fabry-Perot resonator for the measurement of optical constants in the terahertz range

A prism-shaped monolithic Fabry-Perot resonator is shown to allow absorption measurements of liquid samples in the terahertz wave range. As the radiation source a backward-wave oscillator was chosen for its tunable, highly monochromatic, continuous wave. The resonator is made of high-resistivity silicon, with two surfaces acting as partial mirrors and forming the cavity, while a third one contributes with a total internal reflection. When a liquid sample is placed on this latter surface the total reflection is attenuated and the finesse of the resonator decreases, providing absorption information about the sample. The measurement method relying on Fourier processing of the signal, as well as experimental data are presented.