Design and fabrication of a terahertz time domain vector network analyzer for material and device characterization

用于材料和器件表征的太赫兹时域矢量网络分析仪的设计和制造

• 批准号: RGPIN-2022-03277
• 负责人: Smith, Robert
• 金额: $ 1.89万
• 依托单位: University of Victoria
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=752275
• 关键词: Design; fabrication; terahertz; time; domain

This proposal focuses on the development and fabrication of an optoelectronic terahertz system-on-chip (TSoC) time--domain vector network analyzer (TSoC--TDVNA). The TSoC--TDVNA is a device that measures the complex scattering parameters of electronic components and materials up to 3--4 THz. The objective of the proposed research program is to expand upon our prior work and develop the TSoC--TDVNA into an enabling, innovative, and essential platform. To achieve this goal, we will begin by scaling microwave/mm--wave components into the THz range to demonstrate unique functionality. Our prior work began this process but focused on measuring the transmission magnitude (i.e., a scalar network analyzer) which provided valuable information, but the method lacked the phase information necessary to characterize important parameters such as effective permittivity and permeability. The proposed TSoC-TDVNA will inherently resolve phase information and extend the capabilities of current systems. This task faces many challenges (design, fabrication, and experimental) which require novel solutions to retain high spectral resolution and dynamic range in an ultra--wideband system. This research program will have significant impact due to the invention of a low-cost THz-bandwidth vector network analyzer, a device which currently does not exist. Another key component of this proposal is to promote multidisciplinary THz research. We will integrate microfluidic channels into TSoC--TDVNA platform to create unique avenue to foster collaboration with chemistry, biology, and medical departments. We term this device a TSoC-microfluidic test bench or TSoC-µFTB. The TSoC-µFTB will integrate and simplify complexities which are inherent to standard THz spectroscopy systems. For example, many liquids are highly absorptive at THz frequencies, thus careful control of sample interaction region (± 5 µm) is necessary to achieve optimal sensitivity - the proposed TSoC-µFTB provides a novel solution to this issue.

该提案重点关注光电太赫兹片上系统（TSoC）时域矢量网络分析仪（TSoC--TDVNA）的开发和制造。TSoC--TDVNA 是一种测量电子复杂散射参数的设备。拟议研究计划的目标是扩展我们之前的工作，并将 TSoC--TDVNA 开发成一个可行的、创新的、为了实现这一目标，我们将首先将微波/毫米波组件扩展到太赫兹范围以展示独特的功能，但我们之前的工作开始了这一过程，但重点是测量传输幅度（即标量网络分析仪）。 ）提供了有价值的信息，但该方法缺乏表征有效介电常数和磁导率等重要参数所需的相位信息，所提出的 TSoC-TDVNA 将本质上解析相位信息并扩展当前系统的功能。制造和实验）需要新颖的解决方案来在超宽带系统中保持高光谱分辨率和动态范围，由于低成本太赫兹带宽矢量网络分析仪的发明，该研究计划将产生重大影响。该提案的另一个关键组成部分是促进多学科太赫兹研究，我们将把微流体通道集成到 TSoC-TDVNA 平台中，以创建独特的途径来促进与化学、生物学和医学部门的合作。该设备是 TSoC 微流体测试台或 TSoC-μFTB，TSoC-μFTB 将集成并简化标准太赫兹光谱系统固有的复杂性，例如，许多液体在太赫兹频率下具有高吸收性，因此可以仔细控制样品相互作用区域。 (± 5 µm) 是实现最佳灵敏度所必需的 - 所提出的 TSoC-µFTB 为该问题提供了一种新颖的解决方案。