Terahertz linear polarizer made of an organic single crystal.

A terahertz linear polarizer was developed with a single crystal of methyl 4-nitrobenzoate. Several IR-active vibrations with parallel moments of transition were concentrated in a frequency range around 2.7 THz. These results establish a new category of polarizers. [Display omitted] • A terahertz linear polarizer was made of an organic single crystal. • A single crystal of methyl 4-nitrobenzoate has clear anisotropy. • The anisotropy is mainly due to one or two parallel fundamental modes. • The same strategy will allow the development of higher quality polarizers. A terahertz linear polarizer was developed using a single crystal of methyl 4-nitrobenzoate. Flat molecules are arranged in parallel in the crystal and the intramolecular vibrations efficiently absorb terahertz waves with high anisotropy. Several infrared-active intramolecular vibrations with parallel moments of transition concentrate in a frequency band between 2.2 and 3.2 THz. The highest degree of polarization of 76% was achieved at 2.74 THz (T max = 80%, T min = 11%). This result establishes a new category of polarizer that can be manufactured in a simple process at low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]