Strategy for THz Sensors - TU Delft
Transcript of Strategy for THz Sensors - TU Delft
Terahertz Technology
• Limitations
• Opportunities
• Need for THz Broad/Multi-Band Imagers
Security Space Science and Earth Observation Non-destructive testing
Our Speciality
Strategy for THz Sensors
TERA-HERTZ SENSING GROUP Department of Microelectronics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Sciences (EEMCS)
Delft University of Technology, Building 36 (EWI), 20th Floor, Mekelweg 4, 2628 CD, Delft, Netherlands
1011 1013
Wavelength
Frequency (Hz) 109 1010
cm
Micro-Waves
1012
mm
THz
1014 1015
μm
Visible
Wireless internet a million time faster than now…
…by exploiting the entire THz spectrum
Holy Grail is Tera-bit communications
Typical broadband antennas:
• Phase Center Movement • Radiation Dispersion
We solved the problem Leaky Lens Radiation (10 years of research)
Phase Center Stable
Freak Radiation Mechanism Emerging from one point Independently from frequency !!!
Ray picture
h
R
h
R
Only non dispersive radiation mechanisms known !
• Poor sensitivity of devices • Weak-power sources
• Bandwidth: only abundant resource in THz field!
Mission: Introduce break-through Antenna Technology to revolutionize Broad Band THz imaging
Starting Grant from European Research
Council
Phase center
Low frequency
High Frequency
Phase center
Reflector
Focus
Actual need:
• Antenna with stable phase center • Antenna distribution that scales with frequency
Present Research
• Biggest Present Funding
THz
For engineers….
Internet advertisement
2 of these orders of magnitude come from the antennas
Broad Band Focal Plane Imaging
Much easier to promise than to do it !
SPICA (2020) ?
1.2-8.5 THz
Focal Plane Arrays
Advanced Antenna Architectures for THZ Sensing Instruments
• Objective 1: Optically-pumped power generation
Commercial Systems
• Objective 2: Space-science instruments
Low Frequency High Frequency
Requires membrane technology! 5mm
Lens fed by Array of Leaky Connected Slots
DIMES!
• Objective 3: THZ camera in CMOS
Shows feasibility……. very low sensitivity!
CMOS k-pixel THz camera built by Pfeiffer Wuppertal University and ST Microelectronics (France)
Department strategy
• MMIC-based mm-wave THz spectroscopy
The use of combined optical and electronics can allow the realization of truly broad-band systems with high sensitivity and narrow line detection
Earth observation ESA’s frequencies 50, 120, 180, 240, 380 GHz European level edge Push integration of Phased controlled oscillators (150 GHz controlled digitally) mixers and antennas in silicon chips
• Cryogenically cooled receivers
Many resonators
Imager elements: Antennas
• Antennas for Kinetic Inductance Detectors • Integrated receivers at 670 GHz with extreme
sensitivity
Surface Waves Problem
Micro-metric metallic inclusions
300 GHz
• Artificial Dielectric Layers
Objective: Integration of the ADL in standard CMOS processes
Support to
Terahertz sensing group (started on 1st Jan. 2012)
UD N. Llombart
UHD I. Lager
Prof. A. Neto
Postdoc D. Cavallo
2 PhD (budget available for 3 more) 3 Visiting Postdocs 1 visiting professor
June 2012