Terahertz spectroscopy of paper to low temperatures

The terahertz spectrum of paper has been measured from room temperature to cryogenic temperatures. As the paper is cooled, the main absorption lines move to higher frequencies. The same behaviour is observed for two types of paper. The spectrum at base temperature provides the most direct comparison yet with calculations made using density functional theory, which assume the studied material to be at absolute zero temperature. These unique experiments should spur the development of better theoretical models of cellulose and cognate materials.