A review of experiments in the field of photonics and plasmonics, recently performed with the Novosibirsk free electron laser (NovoFEL) is given. Parameters of NovoFEL radiation and user workstations are described. Considerable attention was paid to the development and testing of quasi-optical elements designed for this range and to methods for the formation of powerful beams of terahertz radiation with a given mode composition. The use of terahertz radiation in the spectroscopy of gases and semiconductors, in generation and study of surface plasmon polaritons, as well as the use of the latter for the study of surfaces and in communication applications is described.
