MRI: Acquisition of a Millimeter-wave Vector Network Analyzer and a Probe Station Capable of a Single Sweep from 70 kHz to 220 GHz

提出的仪器是一个220 ghz矢量网络分析仪（VNA）。VNA通常是高频测试实验室的核心，用于测量散射参数的幅度和相位，如材料、设备和电路的反射和透射系数。提议的超宽带VNA将使康奈尔大学和世界范围内用于未来一代110 GHz以上无线通信和物联网的纳米电子材料和设备的研究成为可能。在高达220 GHz的研究中获得的知识和经验将作为太赫兹频率范围研究的基础。此外，拟议的VNA将加强对量子计算设备，微机电传感器，生物传感器，高速集成电路，节能功率设备和宇宙辐射传感器的研究。在美国国家科学基金会的十大构想中，拟议的VNA支持或加强的研究将影响未来工作、量子飞跃、理解生命规则和宇宙之窗的想法。拟议的VNA将成为康奈尔纳米设施（Cornell NanoScale Facility， CNF）的一部分，该设施在提供有效的纳米技术基础设施和专业知识，以及操作和维护主要研究仪器方面有着悠久而优秀的历史。反过来，CNF是nsf支持的具有国家影响力的国家纳米技术协调基础设施的一部分。从合作函可以看出，全世界都有兴趣使用拟议的VNA。感兴趣的用户包括来自主要研究型大学、历史上的黑人学院和大学、少数民族服务机构、大型公司和初创企业的用户。拟议中的超宽带VNA将是世界上最早的VNA之一。安立公司（Anritsu Company）去年宣布了该产品，该产品独特地基于新开发的0.6 mm直径同轴元件，使其能够在70 kHz至220 GHz的频率范围内进行单次连续扫描测量。这与基于110 GHz以上分段带宽的波导的传统vna有着根本的不同。因此，所提出的宽带VNA将实现增益压缩、幅相失真、谐波产生、互调、时域反射率、噪声等大信号非线性测量。提出的VNA将实现脉冲测量，这对高功率器件至关重要。在未来，所提出的VNA可以通过频率扩展器进行改造，将其带宽扩展到1.1太赫兹。“这个奖项反映了国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The proposed instrumentation is a 220-GHz vector network analyzer (VNA). A VNA is usually the heart of a high-frequency test lab for measuring both the magnitude and phase of scattering parameters such as the reflection and transmission coefficients of materials, devices and circuits. The proposed ultra-wideband VNA will enable the research on nanoelectronics materials and devices for future generation of wireless communication and Internet of Things above 110 GHz at Cornell and worldwide. The knowledge and experience gained in the research up to 220 GHz will serve as the foundation for research in the terahertz frequency range. Additionally, the proposed VNA will enhance the research on quantum-computing devices, microelectromechanical sensors, biosensors, high-speed integrated circuits, energy-efficient power devices, and sensors for cosmic radiation. Among NSF’s 10 big ideas, the research enabled or enhanced by the proposed VNA will impact ideas for Future of Work, Quantum Leap, Understanding the Rules of Life, and Windows on the Universe. The proposed VNA will be part of the Cornell NanoScale Facility (CNF), which has a long and excellent history in providing efficient access to nanotechnology infrastructure and expertise, as well as operating and maintaining major research instrumentation. CNF, in turn, is part of the NSF-supported National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure with national impact. Evidenced by the letters of collaboration, there is a world-wide interest in using the proposed VNA. The interested users include those from major research universities, historically black colleges and universities, minority serving institutions, major companies, and start-ups.The proposed ultra-wideband VNA will be one of the firsts in the world. It was announced by the Anritsu Company last year and is uniquely based on the newly developed 0.6-mm-diameter coaxial components, making it possible for measurements with a single and continuous sweep of frequencies from 70 kHz to 220 GHz. This is fundamentally different from conventional VNAs that are based on waveguides with segmented bandwidths above 110 GHz. As the result, the proposed broadband VNA will enable large-signal nonlinear measurements of gain-compression, amplitude-to-phase distortion, harmonic generation, intermodulation, time-domain reflectivity, noise, etc. The proposed VNA will enable pulsed measurements, which are critical to high-power devices. In the future, the proposed VNA can be retrofitted with frequency extenders to extend its bandwidth to 1.1 THz."This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.