Description du projet
Capter les ondes avec une haute résolution temporelle pour mieux affronter les tempêtes
Les satellites ont considérablement fait progresser le domaine de l’observation de la Terre, embarquant des instruments qui nous aident à caractériser et à comprendre les systèmes physiques, chimiques et biologiques de notre planète. Grâce à la disponibilité croissante de petits satellites peu coûteux, nous avons désormais la possibilité d’améliorer considérablement la collecte de données et les connaissances. Dans cette optique, le projet TERAFILT, financé par l’UE, développe des radiomètres très sensibles et compacts pour les applications d’observation environnementale de la Terre. Les radiomètres mesurent l’intensité du rayonnement électromagnétique de certaines longueurs d’onde et fréquences telles que les micro-ondes, le térahertz ou l’infrarouge. Les nouveaux radiomètres seront compatibles avec les petits satellites météorologiques et permettront des actualisations de l’ordre de quelques minutes au lieu de quelques heures, ce qui améliorera considérablement notre capacité à prévoir et à gérer des phénomènes météorologiques violents toujours plus fréquents.
Objectif
This project proposes a new architecture of sub-terahertz (THz) radiometers, which, for the first time, allows to combine high frequency selectivity, high sensitivity and high compactness, intended to be used in Earth-observation environmental sensing applications.
There exists two radiometer detector types: 1) direct-detectors have best-possible sensitivity, but poor frequency selectivity, even when equipped with superconductive filters which require bulky and energy-demanding cryogenic cooling systems; 2) heterodyne-receivers, which are compact and have excellent frequency selectivity, but have inherently inferior signal-to-noise ratio.
The PI, in his ERC CoG, has developed a new terahertz technology enabled by silicon micromachining, and has demonstrated world-record breaking narrow-band filters at sub-THz frequencies (Q=800 at 450 GHz, 1600 at 150 GHz), which, even at room temperature, are superior in performance to state-of-the-art THz filters requiring cryogenic cooling. Furthermore, he has developed a micromachined waveguide switch technology with unprecedented on/off ratio (insertion loss of 0.6 dB, isolation of 50 dB at 220 GHz). These results will be combined for the first time to a new direct-detector based radiometer architecture, enabled by a proposed micromachined switched-filter bank. Such a compact and high-performance radiometer can even be utilized in CubeSat high-density weather-satellite constellations, which are predicted to replace current weather satellites and enable a weather update every 15 minutes as opposed to several hours, which is required for dynamic monitoring for instance the development of severe storms. A proof-of-concept demonstrator for measuring the 183 GHz water line, capable of resolving sub-spectral lines at highest-possible sensitivity, will be implemented and tested in academic and space-industry environment, and appropriate innovation management and exploitation measures are taken in the project.
Champ scientifique
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringthermodynamic engineering
- social scienceseconomics and businessbusiness and managementinnovation management
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloids
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
ERC-POC-LS - ERC Proof of Concept Lump Sum PilotInstitution d’accueil
100 44 Stockholm
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