SBIR Phase II: Compact THz-ABCD Spectrometer

SBIR 第二阶段：紧凑型 THz-ABCD 光谱仪

• 批准号: 0848811
• 负责人: Brian Schulkin
• 金额: $ 50万
• 依托单位: Zomega Terahertz Corporation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-01-15 至 2013-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0848811&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; II; Compact; THz

This NSF Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project proposes to develop a compact THz-ABCD (air-biased coherent- detection). spectrometer based on a new technique for generating and measuring ultra-broadband THz waves utilizing a laser induced plasma in ambient air and selected gases. A focused optical pulse with 100 uJ pulse energy and 100 femtosecond pulse duration in gas creates a plasma (ionized gas molecules), which produces very intense (300 kV/cm), highly-directional (6 degree), and ultra-broadband (10% bandwidth from 0.1 to 10 THz) THz waves in the far field. Through the reciprocal process, air or selected gases also serve as an ultra-broadband sensor of pulsed THz waves through air-biased coherent- detection (ABCD).The region of the electromagnetic spectrum from 0.3 to 10 THz (1 mm - 30 um in wavelength) is now a frontier area for research in physics, chemistry, biology, materials science and medicine. Recently, the observations of THz wave generation and detection in the laser induced atmospheric plasma provide new method in remote sensing and spectroscopy. The use of air as THz wave emitter and sensor provides unprecedented bandwidth (spectral range of 0.1 to 30 THz), sensitivity (heterodyne method), and spectral resolution (MHz) which were previously considered impossible to achieve simultaneously. In addition, this technique produces THz electric field strengths approaching 1 MV/cm, unlocking the potential for nonlinear THz spectroscopy previously inaccessible by conventional optics lab facilities. Recent advances in the use of air/gases to emit, control, enhance, and measure broadband THz waves open up a range of research opportunities. Applications including nondestructive testing, tomographic imaging, label-free genetic analysis, cellular level imaging, explosives detection, and chemical/biological sensing have thrust THz research, from relative obscurity, to new heights. The proposed development of a compact THz ABCD spectrometer will provide a key enabling technology for interdisciplinary research. In addition it will advance numerous sensing and imaging concepts in the THz frequency range, with an immediate impact on non-destructive spectroscopic analysis (eg: pharmaceutical R&D, materials research), a near-term application (3 to 5 years) for homeland security and a longer-term interest (5 to 10 years) in the biomedical sector. If successful the outcome of this project will make significant contributions to academic and governmental laboratory collaboration, student education, and instrumentation development.

这个NSF小企业创新研究第二阶段项目建议开发一个紧凑的THz-ABCD（空气偏置相干检测）。该光谱仪基于一种新技术，利用环境空气和选定气体中的激光诱导等离子体产生和测量超宽带THz波。在气体中具有100 uJ脉冲能量和100飞秒脉冲持续时间的聚焦光脉冲产生等离子体（电离的气体分子），其在远场中产生非常强烈（300 kV/cm）、高度定向（6度）和超宽带（从0.1到10 THz的10%带宽）的THz波。通过这种相互作用，空气或选定的气体也可以通过空气偏置相干检测（ABCD）作为脉冲太赫兹波的超宽带传感器。电磁波谱范围从0.3到10 THz（波长1 mm - 30 um）是物理学、化学、生物学、材料科学和医学研究的前沿领域。近年来，激光大气等离子体中THz波的产生和探测为遥感和光谱学提供了新的手段。使用空气作为太赫兹波发射器和传感器提供了前所未有的带宽（0.1至30太赫兹的光谱范围），灵敏度（外差法）和光谱分辨率（MHz），这在以前被认为是不可能同时实现的。此外，这种技术产生的太赫兹电场强度接近1 MV/cm，解锁了传统光学实验室设施以前无法实现的非线性太赫兹光谱的潜力。利用空气/气体发射、控制、增强和测量宽带太赫兹波的最新进展开辟了一系列研究机会。包括无损检测、断层成像、无标记基因分析、细胞水平成像、爆炸物检测和化学/生物传感在内的应用将太赫兹研究从相对默默无闻推向了新的高度。紧凑型THz ABCD光谱仪的拟议开发将为跨学科研究提供关键的使能技术。此外，它还将推进太赫兹频率范围内的许多传感和成像概念，对非破坏性光谱分析（例如：药物研发，材料研究）产生直接影响，对国土安全的近期应用（3至5年）以及对生物医学领域的长期兴趣（5至10年）。如果成功的话，这个项目的成果将为学术和政府实验室合作，学生教育和仪器开发做出重大贡献。