Free-space broadband terahertz detector

在本项目中，将改进一种基于结构化半导体晶体的太赫兹（THz）辐射探测器的创新配置，研究半导体晶体图像化过程的可扩展性，并设计出用户友好、稳定和性能良好的探测器。在本项目中，将开发知识产权，保护新开发的技术特色。该项目的核心探测器是时间分辨太赫兹系统不可或缺的组成部分，该系统已成为材料，生物样品，食品，挥发性有机化合物（VOC）和药物的强大分析工具。这些系统通常用于科学实验室，越来越多地用于工业样品诊断和产品质量监测。在这里，我们建立了一个演示的概念，即用于太赫兹脉冲电光采样（EOS）的光栅辅助非共线方案，该方案已被《物理评论应用》接受发表。这种依赖于图案半导体晶体的配置显示出比标准电光太赫兹探测器显著的优势。值得注意的是，非线性几何结构具有更宽的光谱响应和增强的检测灵敏度。我们的目标是改进这项技术，并成立一家初创公司，专门制造用于太赫兹探测的图案半导体晶体，并将其集成到单像素探测器中。该公司将生产两种相关产品：(i)专用于愿意升级其太赫兹探测器的学术研究人员的图案半导体晶体；（ii）依赖于针对工业应用的相同晶体的独立EOS太赫兹探测器。我们的目标是通过与西门子和INO的定期合作，开发一种检测技术，以满足加拿大工业在医学实验室诊断和太赫兹成像领域的特定需求。对我们技术的进一步改进将使我们能够发展知识产权组合，鉴于快速扩张的太赫兹市场，这可能通过许可协议本身获得相当大的价值。我们希望在启动这个I2I项目后的18个月内启动我们的创业公司。

In this proposed project will refine an innovative detector configuration for terahertz (THz) radiation based on a structured semiconductor crystal, investigate the scalability of the semiconductor crystal patterning process, and engineer the detector design for user-friendliness, stability and performance. During this project, intellectual property will be developed to protect newly developed technological features. The detector at the core of this project is an indispensable component of time-resolved THz systems, which have emerged as powerful analysis tools for materials, bio-samples, food products, volatile organic compounds (VOC) and pharmaceuticals. Routinely used in scientific labs, these systems are increasingly employed in industry for sample diagnostics and product quality monitoring. Here we build on a demonstrated concept of grating-assisted non-collinear scheme for electro-optic sampling (EOS) of THz pulses accepted for publication in Physics Review Applied. This configuration relying on a patterned semiconductor crystal has shown significant advantages over standard electro-optical THz detectors. Notably, the noncollinearity geometry features a broader spectral response and an enhanced detection sensitivity. Our goal is to improve this technology and launch a start-up company specializing in the fabrication of patterned semiconductor crystals for THz detection and their integration into a single-pixel detector. This company will produce two related products: (i) patterned semiconductor crystals dedicated to academic researchers willing to upgrade their THz detectors and (ii) stand-alone EOS THz detectors relying on the same crystals that targets industrial applications. We aim to develop throughout regular interactions with Siemens and INO a detection technology addressing specific needs for Canadian industry in the field of medical lab diagnostic and THz imaging. Further improvements to our technology will allow us to grow an intellectual property portfolio, which may on its own acquire a considerable value through license agreement in light of a rapidly expanding THz market. We expect to launch our startup within 18 months after starting this I2I project.