Optical properties and birefringence in LiInS2 in the terahertz frequency range

The birefringence of LiInS2 (LIS) crystals in the THz frequency region is investigated by THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). The experimental results indicate that LIS has large birefringence and low absorption in the THz frequency region. The optical properties of LIS are quantitatively determined. A sharp absorption caused by a TO-phonon resonance is observed at around 1.70 THz when the Z-axis is parallel to the polarization of the incident THz wave. A temporal separation of the transmitted THz pulses with different polarization components is realized by changing the orientation of the LIS crystal with respect to the polarization of the incident THz pulses. 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