Direct creation of a photoinduced metallic structure and its optical properties in the terahertz frequency region.

We investigate the surface electromagnetic characteristics of a photoinduced periodical structure using the attenuated total reflection (ATR) technique in the terahertz frequency region. A wire grating structure is generated at the surface of a silicon prism by irradiation with a spatially modulated, ultrafast pulsed laser. A characteristic minimum due to the excitation of surface waves is observed in the ATR spectrum. The depth profile of the photoinduced carrier layer is also studied. We confirm that the photoinduced structure has metallic properties. This fabrication technique will be developed as a simple method to create "active" structures. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America