Terahertz spectroscopy of molten sulfur using a tunable THz source

M. Mross; T. Lowell; C. Guertin; A. O'Donnell; G. C. Vezzoli

doi:10.1117/12.686113

12 October 2006 Terahetz spectroscopy of molten sulfur using a tunable THz source

M. Mross, T. Lowell, C. Guertin, A. O'Donnell, G. C. Vezzoli

Proceedings Volume 6373, Terahertz Physics, Devices, and Systems; 637307 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.686113
Event: Optics East 2006, 2006, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Abstract

We have studied the liquid-liquid allotropic transitions in molten sulfur using terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. Liquid sulfur is selected as an initial choice of materials because its structure and properties are well established from previous in-situ studies by one of the current investigators (and by other researchers) using a variety of physical and chemical methodologies. It is known that sulfur melts to an equilibrium mixture of octameric (S₈) rings and short chains, with a small concentration of hexameric rings (S₆). As temperature is increased, thermal energy initiates ring scission and the resulting diradically-terminated short chains undergo covalent bonding to induce polymerization at 159-166°C. Further increase in temperature causes an increase in chain length and an increase in chain species concentration until a temperature of 188°C is reached at which the long chains (~10⁶ atoms in length) undergo chain scission, and although the chains start to break up, the polymer concentration of the mixed phases still increases. We have experimentally mapped THz absorption, transmission, and reflection/scattering effects with these known transitions in liquid sulfur, as a function of temperature and wavelength.

Citation Download Citation

M. Mross, T. Lowell, C. Guertin, A. O'Donnell, and G. C. Vezzoli "Terahetz spectroscopy of molten sulfur using a tunable THz source", Proc. SPIE 6373, Terahertz Physics, Devices, and Systems, 637307 (12 October 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.686113

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available