| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/G033870/1 |
| Title: |
Micro-resonator Probe for THz Near-field Imaging Beyond the Diffraction Limit |
| Principal Investigator: |
Mitrofanov, Dr O |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Electronic and Electrical Engineering |
| Organisation: |
UCL |
| Scheme: |
First Grant Scheme |
| Starts: |
28 August 2009 |
Ends: |
27 February 2013 |
Value (£): |
305,141
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Electronic Devices & Subsys. |
Optoelect. Devices & Circuits |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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01 Dec 2008
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ICT Prioritisation Panel (December 2008)
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Announced
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Terahertz (THz) device research and studies of THz phenomena in solid state systems require detection of THz waves and signals on the scale of few microns. These measurements present a major technological problem caused by diffraction of THz waves. The diffraction limit prevents the use of the recently developed THz spectroscopic instrumentation for studies of objects smaller than approximately a wavelength. Near-field surface probing methods have shown potential solutions in overcoming the diffraction limit. However all the existing THz near-field techniques exhibit another fundamental limitation due to significant perturbations in the electric field caused by the near-field probe. The probe invasiveness and a non-uniform frequency response across the THz spectrum prevent the use of the existing near-field probes for mapping of electric field distribution in THz devices. In addition, THz near-field imaging systems with spatial resolution better than ~1/20 of a wavelength suffer from a severe reduction in sensitivity.To mitigate these problems and to allow high spatial resolution studies with THz waves we propose to develop a THz imaging and spectroscopy system with a novel near-field probe. The probe concept exploits the non-invasive nature of the electro-optic detection method and utilizes an optical micro-resonator to enhance the detection sensitivity. The proposed electro-optic micro-resonator will be integrated into a fibre-coupled near-field probe. It will allow THz wave and signal probing with a spatial resolution of ~5 microns (~1/100 of the wavelength) and it will offer full spectroscopic capabilities in the THz range (0.1-2.0 THz). The novelty of this approach is in exploiting the optical cavity resonance for electro-optic detection of THz waves by an extremely small near-field probe. The goal of this research programme is to develop and build the THz near-field probing system and apply it in device research on the sub-wavelength scale. The proposed technology will expand the spectrum of THz studies to micrometre-scale objects. It will aid in the progress of THz device research and will facilitate studies of THz phenomena in physics, materials science and other disciplines.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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