We realized a phase retrieval technique using terahertz (THz) radiation as an alternative to THz digital holography, named THz ptychography. Ptychography has been used in x-ray imaging as a groundbreaking improvement of conventional coherent diffraction imaging. Here we show that ptychography can be performed at THz frequencies too. We reconstructed an amplitude and a phase object with both simulated and real data. Lateral resolution accounts to , while depth variations as low as can be assessed.
A non-monochromatic THz Quantum Cascade Laser and an uncooled micro-bolometer array detector with VGA resolution are used in a beam-splitter free holographic set-up to measure amplitude and phase objects in transmission. Phase maps of the diffraction pattern are retrieved using the Fourier transform carrier fringe method; while a Fresnel-Kirchhoff back propagation algorithm is used to reconstruct the complex object image. A lateral resolution of 280 µm and a relative phase sensitivity of about 0.5 rad are estimated from reconstructed images of a metallic Siemens star and a polypropylene test structure, respectively. Simulations corroborate the experimental results.
Large‐area flexible transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) featuring excellent optoelectronic properties (low sheet resistance, Rs, at high transparency, T) are vital for integration in transparent wearable electronics (i.e., antennas, sensors, supercapacitors, etc.). Solution processing (i.e., printing and coating) of conductive inks yields highly uniform TCEs at low cost, holding great promise for commercially manufacturing of transparent electronics. However, to formulate such conductive inks as well as to realize continuous conductive films in the absence of percolation issue are quite challenging. Herein, the scalable slot‐die coating of Ti3C2Tx MXene aqueous inks is reported for the first time to yield large‐area uniform TCEs with outstanding optoelectronic performance, that is, average DC conductivity of 13 000 ± 500 S cm−1. The conductive MXene nanosheets are forced to orientate horizontally as the inks are passing through the moving slot, leading to the rapid manufacturing of highly aligned MXene TCEs without notorious percolation problems. Moreover, through tuning the ink formulations, such conductive MXene films can be easily adjusted from transparent to opaque as required, demonstrating very low surface roughness and even mirror effects. These high‐quality, slot‐die‐coated MXene TCEs also demonstrate excellent electrochemical charge storage properties when assembled into supercapacitors.