Electrical characterization of conducting polypyrrole by THz time-domain spectroscopy

Using an optoelectronic THz beam system for THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz TDS), we have measured the absorption and index of refraction of a conducting polypyrrole film from low frequencies to 2.5 THz. From these measurements, the dc conductivity of 215/(Ω cm) and the complex conductance were obtained over this frequency range. All of the results were well fit by Drude theory, which gives a carrier scattering time of only 12.6 fs, less than 1/10 that of the semiconductors, thereby illustrating the disorder and low mobility of the polymer.