Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TERASSE (Terahertz Antennas with Self-amplified Spontaneous Emission)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2019-06-01 al 2022-09-30
OB.1 – to investigate and demonstrate novel antennas, sensors and spectroscopy systems in the THz range.
Several types of nanostructured materials will be investigated, such as graphene nanoribbons and graphene/polymer sandwiches, with embedded mesoscopic structures, or atomic chains (e.g. transition metals dichalcogenides and graphene dots and their chains) with interatomic coupling. First, new promising physical mechanisms will be studied, enabling the excitation of mesoscopic structures via shot noise, Rabi and Rabi-Bloch oscillations, and direct interband THz transitions induced by optical excitation. Then, new effective methods for mesoscopic systems will be developed, based on integral formulations that overcome the limits of the methods available so far. The numerical implementation of such models will allow the analysis and the simulation of novel types of THz devices. Finally, the project will design and implement specific experiments with the aim of observing and demonstrating the proposed physical mechanisms, and of providing proof-of-concept of the proposed THz devices. The final goal is that of bringing these novel solutions from Basic principles and Technology concept (TRL1-2) to analytical and experimental critical function and characteristic proof of concept (prototypes) (TRL3).
OB.2 – to create a network of competencies on quantum and nanoelectronics, sharing knowledge and expertise retained by the partners.
A strong training and dissemination activity will be carried out, aimed at sharing competencies and expertise. Special emphasis is to be given to the interactions between theoretical and experimentalist Academic partners. The partners will transfer each others competencies and know-how in fields such as nanotechnology and quantum physics, in antennas and circuits modelling and design, in material and device fabrication and in experimental characterization. This will also create a stable network for future collaborations aimed at the exploitation of the project’s results.
The skills network is born from the international collaboration between university institutions engaged in new scientific research. A project that pushes on innovation, on the research for excellence, without neglecting the aspect of transferring skills to the new generations, offering itself as a training opportunity even for 20 young researchers directly involved in the development of the works.
** Results so far achieved in the frame of the project research Workpackages **
WP 1: Methods, formulations and models
- model for the antennas fed via Rabi- and Rabi-Bloch oscillations.
- implementation of tools for the control of nano-antenna radiation spectrum and radiation pattern
- assessed a mechanism to open electrostatically controllable gaps in graphene bipolar electron waveguides
- theory of optical and THz transitions in carbynes and cyclocarbons
- graphene THz detector based on plasmon resonances and interband transitions
- theory of light absorption and confinement in 2D materials with tilted Dirac cones.
WP 2: Mechanisms for novel nano-antennas
- integral equations formulations for modelling the mechanisms studied in WP1.
- scattering theory for two crossing metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes
- full-wave numerical FEM model for studying the response of CNT films
- homogenization technique to identify the equivalent complex permittivity
- generalized circuit theory to nano and mesoscopic systems
- system-level analysis of nanoantennas, with the equivalent circuits
WP 3: Experiment and proof of concept on demonstrators
- Polymer coated SWCNTs films were fabricated as an ideal model system
- Bi-layered graphene on Cu foils with prescribed twisting angle between layers was synthesized;
- Multilayered graphene was directly deposited on the dielectric substrates of any shape
- Aggregated ensembles of graphene quantum dots structured at submicron scale have been fabricated and optically verified
- “blinking” mechanism with hysteresis of the optical response vs temperature under pulsed excitation was observed
- response of nanomaterials to environmental conditions (temperature, pollutants).
** Results so far achieved in the frame of the knowledge exchange Workpackage **
WP 4: Knowledge exchange
- each seconded ESR has received a specific training from the host institution
- each seconded ER has trained young people at the host institution, possibly also giving technical seminars
- two summer courses have ben organized: 2021 and 2022
All the Milestones falling within the period have been achieved:
- MS1: Consortium agreement signed. Project started. Kick-off meeting organized.
- MS2: Website and data repository available. Data management and exploitation plan. Training activity carried out.
All the expected deliverables are available:
- D5.6 Data management plan
- D5.2 Progress Report
- D5.3 Website
- D2.1 - integral equation and numerical models
The numerical implementation of such models are allowing the analysis and the simulation of novel types of THz devices. Finally, the project are designing and implementing specific experiments with the aim of observing and demonstrating the proposed physical mechanisms, and of providing proof-of-concept of the proposed THz devices. The final goal is that of bringing these novel solutions from Basic principles and Technology concept (TRL1-2) to analytical and experimental critical function and characteristic proof of concept (prototypes) (TRL3).
A strong training and dissemination activity is carrying out, aimed at sharing competencies and expertise. Special emphasis is to be given to the interactions between theoretical and experimentalist Academic partners. The partners are transferring each others competencies and know-how in fields such as nanotechnology and quantum physics, in antennas and circuits, in material and device fabrication and characterization. This will also create a stable network for future collaborations aimed at the exploitation of the project’s results.
EXPECTED ADDED VALUE FOR NEW NON-ACADEMIC PARTNERS
NANESA is an Italian SME specialized in production of nanomaterials (dry powder, water dispersion, water paste, graphene paper, graphene formulation in resin). The expected added value is mainly related to the transfer of knowdlege with project partners expert in nanomaterial fabrication and characterization.
MaxLLG is an English Company developing computational technologies significantly improving on the current state-of-the-art electromagnetic wave simulators. The expected added value is mainly related to the transfer of knowdlege with project partners expert in nanoscale modelling.