Integrated millimeter-wave/terahertz smart structures

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Imagine portable devices like mobile phone, in addition to whatever they do today, can scan and see the invisible objects inside a box, can sense the difference between a good and bad drug, can distinguish between a benign skin lesion and a malign cancerous cell instantly, and can send this picture or information to another mobile device in a split second! These and a many other functions, which may seem like fiction these days, are just some of the capabilities that a particular range of electromagnetic wave spectrum, called "Millimeter-wave and Terahertz (mmW/THz)" can offer to us if the right type of technology can be developed. Sitting between lower radio frequency (RF) and light, mmW/THz band has the best of both worlds: penetration capability of RF, and short-wavelength resolution of optics. This band of frequencies offer a number of unique opportunities for safe imaging (as opposed to dangerous X-ray), sensing, detecting complex bio-molecules and drugs, extreme bandwidth radio communications, and provide foot prints that can take radio-astronomers back in time almost to the "Origin". Extraordinary THz markets (communication, medicine, security, manufacturing, etc.) are forecasted to reach $billions by 2020. Although many of these amazing properties and possibilities have been known over last few decades, the practical applications were mainly restricted to very complex and costly experimental configurations for defense, space research, and scientific spectroscopy. The main objective of the proposed research is to investigate low-cost technologies that can bring these amazing capabilities to mass market commercial devices. Built on recent advances in mmW/THz technologies and prior research results, the applicant and his group have been developing low-cost integrated mmW/THz device and system solutions for a number of communication and sensing/imaging applications. Based on this experience and with the availability of a world class mmW/THz facility at the University of Waterloo, the applicant's group proposes to explore and develop a common integrated technology platform for real life applications of this least discovered range of electromagnetic waves.