MRI: Development of Tomographic Imaging Instrumentation with Terahertz Radiation

太赫兹辐射层析成像仪器的开发项目摘要伦斯勒理工学院的太赫兹（THz）研究中心正在寻求NSF对开发THz波层析成像系统的支持，该系统将提供有史以来第一个产生实时，大规模，长距离，三维（3D）图像的THz能力。与传统的X射线CT系统一样，THz系统将提供结构化物体的3D映射，但不会使生物组织受到有害辐射。此外，它将提供传统系统无法提供的重要光谱信息。该仪器将提供超宽频带的实时图像，从100千兆赫兹扩展到10太赫兹，帧速率从单次拍摄到每秒1,000帧不等，它将能够对移动物体，湍流，太赫兹研究是伦斯勒战略计划的核心，因为它是该大学两个主要重点领域的关键技术，Rensselaer大力支持太赫兹中心的成立，张博士担任创始主任。该大学将在未来四年内提供5,000平方英尺的实验室空间、用于翻新和设备的大量财政支持以及三个新的教师职位，同时增加研究生和本科生研究人员。智力价值：拟议中的仪器将是太赫兹科学向前迈出的重要一步。在过去的十年里，伦斯勒的团队一直在探索电磁波谱中以前隐藏的部分，它位于红外和微波波段之间。基本的太赫兹科学和技术还处于起步阶段，但随着它的改进，它有可能引发变革性的进步，从而影响各个层面的经济发展和生活质量。可能获得重要新技术支持的跨学科领域的例子包括国土安全、生物医学研究、通信、环境监测、农业和法医学。更广泛的影响：设备的成功开发将产生广泛的影响。近年来，全世界对这一领域的兴奋呈指数级增长，自1990年以来，越来越多的研究小组发表了1,400多篇关于太赫兹科学的科学论文。在过去的几年里，来自75所大学、公司和诊所的科学家和工程师参观了伦斯勒的太赫兹相关项目，伦斯勒的团队帮助来自18个国家的科学家学习如何使用太赫兹传感器。这种新的仪器将是THz中心的关键技术，为伦斯勒学院的跨学科小组，博士后，研究生和本科生以及访问科学家和外部合作者提供新的研究能力。它将用于测试太赫兹频率范围内的许多先进传感和成像概念，立即集中在国土安全和生物医学应用的长期兴趣。杰斐逊实验室、加州大学圣巴巴拉分校和伦斯勒分校提议建立国家太赫兹用户设施，该系统将成为其中一个用户节点的核心。根据伦斯勒THz研究的过去经验，该仪器也有望为世界各地的实验室开发的系统提供一个模型。

Development of Tomographic Imaging Instrumentation with Terahertz RadiationA Project SummaryThe Center for Terahertz (THz) Research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is seeking NSFsupport for the development of a THz wave tomographic imaging system that will provide thefirst-ever THz capability to produce real-time, large-scale, long-distance, three-dimensional (3D)images. Like conventional X-ray CT systems, the THz system will provide 3D mapping ofstructured objects, but without subjecting biological tissue to harmful radiation. In addition, itwill offer important spectroscopic information that conventional systems cannot supply. Theinstrumentation will provide real-time images across an ultra-wide frequency band, extendingfrom 100 gigahertz to 10 terahertz, at a variable frame rate from single-shot up to 1,000 framesper second, and it will be able to non-invasively image moving objects, turbulent flows, orexplosions.THz research is central to Rensselaer's strategic plan because it is a key enabling technology forboth of the university's major focus areas, information technology and biotechnology.Rensselaer has strongly supported the formation of the THz Center, with Dr. Zhang as foundingdirector. The university is providing 5,000 square feet of laboratory space, substantial financialsupport for renovation and equipment, and three new faculty positions in the next four years,with a concomitant increase in graduate and undergraduate researchers.Intellectual merit: The proposed instrumentation will be an important step forward for THzscience. During the last decade, Rensselaer's team has been exploring this previously hiddenportion of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is located between the infrared and themicrowave bands. Basic THz science and technology is in its infancy, but as it improves, it hasthe potential to trigger transformational advances that will impact economic development andquality of life at every level. Examples of interdisciplinary fields that could gain important newinstrumentation include homeland security, biomedical research, communications, environmentalmonitoring, agriculture, and forensic science.Broader impact: Successful development of the equipment will have a broad impact. In recentyears, worldwide excitement about this field has grown exponentially, as evidenced by anexpanding number of research groups that have published more than 1,400 scientific papers onTHz science since 1990. During the last several years, scientists and engineers from 75universities, companies, and clinics have visited Rensselaer THz-related programs, andRensselaer's team has helped scientists from 18 countries learn how to use THz sensors. Thisnew instrumentation will be a key enabling technology for the THz Center, providing newresearch capabilities for an interdisciplinary group of Rensselaer faculty, postdoctoral associates,and graduate and undergraduate students, as well as for visiting scientists and externalcollaborators. It will be used to test numerous advanced sensing and imaging concepts in theTHz frequency range, with immediate concentration on homeland security and a longer-terminterest in biomedical applications. Jefferson Laboratory, UC Santa Barbara, and Rensselaerhave proposed creation of the National THz User Facility, and this system would be at the heartof one of the user nodes. Based on past experience with Rensselaer's THz research, theinstrumentation is also expected to provide a model for systems that will be developed inlaboratories around the world.