Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is an ideal non-contact and non-destructive technique that probes the electrical conductivity of nanomaterials. This review presents the current status of research in the THz properties of quasi-1D materials, such as nanotubes (NTs) and NT heterostructures. The detailed description of THz experimental methods (THz time-domain spectroscopy, optical pump-THz probe spectroscopy) and conductivity extraction methods are presented along with the physical models (Drude, plasmon, effective medium theories, etc.) supporting them. Optoelectronic applications, such as optical modulators, switches, and shielding devices, are discussed and illustrate a bright future for these materials.

Full control of the ellipticity of broadband pulses of THz radiation, from linear to left- or right-handed circular polarization, was demonstrated via a four-pixel photoconductive emitter with an integrated achromatic waveplate. Excellent polarization purity and accuracy were achieved, with Stokes parameters exceeding 97% for linear and circular polarization, via a robust scheme that corrected electrically for polarization changes caused by imperfect optical elements. Furthermore, to assess the speed and precision of measurements of the THz polarization, we introduced a figure of merit, the standard error after one second of measurement, found to be 0.047° for the polarization angle.

Strong intertube excitonic coupling is demonstrated in 1D van der Waals heterostructures by examining the ultrafast response of radial C/BN/MoS2 core/shell/skin nanotubes to femtosecond infrared light pulses. Remarkably, infrared excitation of excitons in the semiconducting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) creates a prominent excitonic response in the visible range from the MoS2 skin, even with infrared photons at energies well below the bandgap of MoS2. Via classical analogies and a quantum model of the light–matter interaction these findings are assigned to intertube excitonic correlations. Dipole–dipole Coulomb interactions in the coherent regime produce intertube biexcitons, which persist for tens of femtoseconds, while on longer timescales (>100 ps) hole tunneling—from the CNT core, through the BN tunnel barrier, to the MoS2 skin—creates intertube excitons. Charge transfer and dipole–dipole interactions thus play prominent roles on different timescales, and establish new possibilities for the multi-functional use of these new nanoscale coaxial cables.

One-dimensional (1D) atomic chains of CsI were previously reported in double-walled carbon nanotubes with ∼0.8 nm inner diameter. Here, we demonstrate that, while 1D CsI chains form within narrow ∼0.73 nm diameter single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), wider SWCNT tubules (∼0.8–1.1 nm) promote the formation of helical chains of CsI 2 × 1 atoms in cross-section. These CsI helices create complementary oval distortions in encapsulating SWCNTs with highly strained helices formed from strained Cs₂I₂ parallelogram units in narrow tubes to lower strain Cs₂I₂ units in wider tubes. The observed structural changes and charge distribution were analyzed by density-functional theory and Bader analysis. CsI chains also produce conformation-selective changes to the electronic structure and optical properties of the encapsulating tubules. The observed defects are an interesting variation from defects commonly observed in alkali halides as these are normally associated with the Schottky and Frenkel type. The energetics of CsI 2 × 1 helix formation in SWCNTs suggests how these could be controllably formed.