Spatially-Mapped Mobile Terahertz Spectroscopy (T-MAP)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Ullrich Pfeiffer
• Subject Area: Communication Technology and Networks, High-Frequency Technology and Photonic Systems, Signal Processing and Machine Learning for Information Technology ; Electronic Semiconductors, Components and Circuits, Integrated Systems, Sensor Technology, Theoretical Electrical Engineering
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 441316941

The terahertz frequency range has been widely considered as the most challenging and under-developed frequency range due to the lack of technologies to effectively bridge the transition region between microwaves (below 100 GHz) and optics (above 10 THz). A fundamentally new approach is needed to enable novel applications to be harnessed by the modern industrial world. T-MAP proposes to combine dispersive optics with advanced semiconductor technologies to realize both an incoherent terahertz spectrum analyzer and an incoherent spectrometer, which breaks many of the traditional trade-offs of classical coherent system design approaches. Instead of designing complex coherent electronic systems, T-MAP follows a novel incoherent, spatially-mapped detection approach, along with a pulsed source. An incoherent detector array and dispersive optics will make up the analyzer part, whereas the combination with the source turns the analyzer into a spectrometer. The main objective is to analyze the fundamental methods and limitations of implementing such systems to derive future theoretical and experimental research towards silicon-based broadband terahertz spectroscopy/spectral analysis. T-MAP, therefore, will exploit state-of-the-art, commercially available silicon process technologies. This project finally aims to demonstrate terahertz spectral analysis and spectroscopy covering at least a decade of bandwidth (0.15-1.5 THz) with an SNR of 30 dB by applying a spectral resolution trade-off. Transforming stationary lab-based equipment into mobile equipment forms the basis for novel applications in the terahertz regime.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants