Project description
New approach uses graphene for thin film measurements
Measuring the thickness of thin films, such as car paint, wind turbine coatings and chip layers, is essential for ensuring quality control in many industries. Current methods rely on high-energy light or sound, which can be complex and invasive. Low-energy (sub)terahertz light offers a better alternative, but existing techniques require femtosecond lasers, making them difficult to adopt widely. The ERC-funded THICOHERENTERA project plans to develop a graphene-based (sub)terahertz photodetector for thin-film measurements. Acting as both a detector and an interferometer, it will enable contactless in situ thickness determination without the need for femtosecond lasers. Leveraging graphene’s unique properties – a material just one atom thick – THICOHERENTERA will develop compact proof-of-concept devices and explore commercialisation strategies to bring this innovative, user-friendly technology to the market.
Objective
What better way to measure thin films than by using a material that is just one atom thick?
Society requires materials in user products and infrastructure to function properly, which requires quality control through non-destructive testing, ideally without physical contacts. One particularly important quality test is the thickness determination of thin films, such as car paint, coatings of wind turbines, and different material layers in chips. Low-energy (sub)terahertz light offers several benefits over current techniques for non-destructive thickness determination, which are based on high-energy light or sound. However, current terahertz-based strategies typically require femtosecond lasers, which comes with several technology adoption barriers.
In this project, we will develop proof-of-concept demonstrators for contactless, in-situ thickness determination of thin films that do not require femtosecond lasers. Our approach builds on our very recent demonstration of a graphene-based (sub)terahertz photodetector that simultaneously acts as an integrated interferometer. This enables the coherent detection of (sub)terahertz light and the determination of the thickness of thin films placed in the path towards the detector-interferometer. The detector exploits the exceptional properties of hot electrons in graphene, as explored during the ERC StG project “CUHL”.
The two main objectives of the project are i) to develop compact, graphene-based proof-of-concept thickness determination demonstrators tailored towards concrete applications, which outcompete existing technologies; and ii) to develop business cases and commercialization strategies for this thickness determination technology. These objectives will be addressed by an experienced and multidisciplinary team consisting of scientists, technologists and business developers. By continuous alignment of the technical performance and socio-economic demands, we expect to optimize value creation for society.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials two-dimensional nanostructures graphene
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors optical sensors
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
08193 BELLATERRA (BARCELONA)
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.