Descrizione del progetto
Una nuova tecnologia apre la strada a un’indagine terahertz economica dei materiali
Tra le molte interazioni luce-materia utili c’è l’assorbimento di varie lunghezze d’onda della luce da parte di diversi ioni o molecole. La spettroscopia di assorbimento ottico sfrutta questo fenomeno per fornire informazioni fondamentali sui materiali senza entrare in contatto, alterare o danneggiare il materiale di interesse. Le applicazioni sono praticamente illimitate. La spettroscopia di assorbimento ottico nella regione dei terahertz dello spettro elettromagnetico porta tutti i vantaggi esistenti a un nuovo livello e ne aggiunge altri. Tuttavia il laser di guida è attualmente piuttosto costoso e complesso. Il progetto DC-THz, finanziato dall’UE, sta pianificando di rimediare a questo problema con la sua tecnologia laser pionieristica.
Obiettivo
Optical absorption spectroscopy is a key enabling technology for contact-free and non-destructive identification of materials. Since these measurements allow for identifying defects or contaminants in products, they are used in many industries. Examples include testing of polymers, coatings and paints, pharmaceuticals, foods, and semiconductor devices for electronics. Optical spectroscopy also has emerging applications in environmental monitoring, security, and medical diagnostics. Light in the terahertz region of the electromagnetic spectrum (frequencies from 0.1 – 10 THz) is particularly attractive for all these applications because of its remarkable properties: it can be transmitted through many materials, allowing for inspection of products inside their packaging; its interaction with matter leaves unique spectral fingerprints, enabling identification of the molecules present; and it offers good resolution, enabling imaging applications. However, a significant challenge for existing industrial terahertz spectroscopy systems is the high cost and complexity of the driving laser. In this ERC-PoC project, we will resolve these problems by leveraging our recently-demonstrated breakthrough dual-comb laser technology. These patented dual-comb lasers produce asynchronous high-power femtosecond pulses from a single laser cavity. This solution combines higher performance and lower complexity compared to the alternative technologies. The goal of the ERC-PoC is to deploy these advantages in the context of terahertz spectroscopy to enable faster measurements and lower costs, and take important steps to commercialization. We will develop a prototype industrial terahertz spectrometer, measure test samples with research and industrial collaborators, and find initial product-market fit for commercializing the spectrometer.
Campo scientifico
Programma(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept GrantIstituzione ospitante
8092 Zuerich
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