Descrizione del progetto
Nuovo paradigma di strumentazione metrologica per la gamma di onde millimetriche e Terahertz
Gli analizzatori di rete vettoriali (vector network analyser, VNA) sono la piattaforma di strumentazione per misurazioni calibrate sensibili alla fase, che utilizzano cavi coassiali e connettori standardizzati al loro limite fisico, per raggiungere frequenze di taglio intorno ai 220 GHz. Al di sopra di questo limite, le sonde diventano critiche e si devono utilizzare costosi estensori di testa accoppiati a guida rettangolare, che segmentano lo spettro di frequenza in bande separate impedendo misurazioni calibrate tra le bande. Il progetto TERAmeasure, finanziato dall’UE, sfida l’attuale paradigma di misurazione nelle gamme di frequenza millimetrica (MMW, 30 GHz-300 GHz) e Terahertz (THz, 300 GHz-3 THz), sviluppando un nuovo concetto di sonda basato sulla microlavorazione del silicio e sulla generazione di segnali fotonici per superare gli attuali ostacoli a una migliore misurazione, eliminando la necessità di guide d’onda rettangolari, consentendo risultati di grado metrologico tra bande.
Obiettivo
TERAmeasure proposes a universal, broadband and contact-free measurement and sensing platform, developing compact and competitive transceiver heads for the millimetre- (MMW, 30 GHz-300 GHz) and Terahertz- (THz, 300 GHz-3 THz) frequency range, enabling a new instrumentation and metrology paradigm. This breakthrough will be achieved exploiting photonic integration technology and silicon micromachining to realize a broadband continuous-wave THz platform equipped with refractive index engineered dielectric waveguides. Our main objective is to develop generic and low-cost probing solutions to fully unlock the potential of non-contact, broadband, and phase-sensitive measurements. We aim to stimulate novel fields of research in high frequency device characterization with Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs), field resolved near-field microscopy and industrial non-destructive evaluation. TERAmeasure replaces costly frequency-extension modules, relying on rectangular waveguide flanges, by a photonic approach that covers the full spectrum from 30 GHz up to 3 THz. Thereby, TERAmeasure helps to unify the MMW and THz spectrum, which is currently segmented into more than 10 separate bands. TERAmeasure challenges the established pathway that high frequencies can be addressed only by further miniaturization of the components, which will run into fundamental physical limits.
The consortium combines key expertise. UC3M and HHI to develop the new on-chip emitter and receiver for THz signal generation and phase-sensitive detection. KTH to develop novel terahertz waveguide and lensing structures. ANRITSU, who has developed today’s coaxial cable standards, adds its expertise on VNA measurements and VNA systems in which the heads will be integrated and tested. PROTEMICS, an SME, brings non-destructive testing applications for which TERAmeasure will provide a technological market advantage unlocking continuous-wave THz probing. A wider range of applications will be pursued, with a proof-of-concept on early detection of skin cancer with Advisory Board support.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
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Vedi altri progetti per questo bandoBando secondario
H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2019-2020-01
Meccanismo di finanziamento
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinatore
28903 Getafe (Madrid)
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