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Ultra-Compact Carbon Nanotube Sources and Integrated Circuits for Low-Cost Terahertz Spectroscopy and Imaging

Detailed Technology Description

Terahertz imaging is becoming an increasingly important non-destructive evaluation method, with biomedical, security, aerospace, and materials characterization applications. Large size and high cost currently limit broad commercial implementation of terahertz imaging and spectroscopy systems. In this invention, a compact, low-cost terahertz source has been developed that may be easily integrated into several common high-frequency circuit designs, such as microstrip and coplanar waveguide.  In operation, the source, palladium or platinum nanowires, is coupled to antennas and subjected to a low voltage, causing the emission of terahertz radiation. The terahertz radiation emitting from the antennas is collimated by a silicon lens, which gives the system a broadcast range of 1-2 m. The required power to generate the radiation is extremely low, on the order of 100 nW. The UMass Terahertz Laboratory has successfully demonstrated the technology in a number of applications, including characterizing RNA flowing through a nanofluidic channel and the crystalline polymer PHB. TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION ADVANTAGES •       Design enables low-cost terahertz imaging•       At < 10 µm in size, terahertz source is readily integrable into common high-frequency circuit designs•       Operable at room temperature – liquid helium cooling not required•       Uses low DC voltage (2 – 5 V) PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES•       Benchtop THz detectors•       Ultra-compact THz spectrometers that identify materials such as water layers, biomolecules, and explosives ABOUT THE INVENTOR Sigfrid Yngvesson, Ph.D., is a Professor Emeritus with the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an IEEE Fellow. He has been involved with maser low-noise receivers for radio astronomy and integrated antenna arrays. His current research interests are terahertz low-noise devices and applications, in particular, hot electron bolometric mixers and FPAs, and terahertz applications of carbon nanotubes.AVAILABILITY: Available for Licensing and/or Sponsored Research DOCKET: UMA 13-039 PATENT STATUS: Patent Pending NON-CONFIDENTIAL INVENTION DISCLOSURE LEAD INVENTOR: Sigfrid Yngvesson CONTACT: Terahertz imaging is becoming an increasingly important non-destructive evaluation method, with biomedical, security, aerospace, and materials characterization applications. Large size and high cost currently limit broad commercial implementation of terahertz imaging and spectroscopy systems. In this invention, a compact, low-cost terahertz source has been developed that may be easily integrated into several common high-frequency circuit designs, such as microstrip and coplanar waveguide.  In operation, the source, palladium or platinum nanowires, is coupled to antennas and subjected to a low voltage, causing the emission of terahertz radiation. The terahertz radiation emitting from the antennas is collimated by a silicon lens, which gives the system a broadcast range of 1-2 m. The required power to generate the radiation is extremely low, on the order of 100 nW. The UMass Terahertz Laboratory has successfully demonstrated the technology in a number of applications, including characterizing RNA flowing through a nanofluidic channel and the crystalline polymer PHB.

*Abstract

None

*Principal Investigator

Name: Sigfrid Yngvesson, Professor Emeritus

Department: ECE

Name: Martin Muthee

Department:

Country/Region

USA