Terahertz Transport and Ultrafast Detection in Metallic Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes

ECCS-0725613 Sigfrid Yngvesson，马萨诸塞州大学，阿默斯特智力优势：该提案结合了两个研究领域：太赫兹技术和纳米技术。“太赫兹”是指频率为1012赫兹的电磁波，比任何晶体管都快。来自马萨诸塞州大学的研究人员已经开发出用于空间科学应用的太赫兹探测器，现在的目标是开发可能用于非天文学应用的太赫兹辐射探测器。他们关于太赫兹探测器的新想法利用了 金属单壁碳纳米管，直径通常为0.6-1.5 nm，比以前的探测器小得多。该设备由一个短的碳纳米管组成，连接到硅衬底上的光蚀刻太赫兹天线。太赫兹辐射被转换成直流电或（当两个太赫兹频率入射时）转换成可以进一步放大的微波频率。所提出的SWNT探测器的独特性质是，预计它能够比以前的探测器快100倍，并在更高的温度下工作。该小组已经展示了这种微波和太赫兹辐射探测器的原型。这项提议的一个非常重要的组成部分是从头计算模拟的设备，字面上原子由原子，由国际公认的专家对纳米设备的模拟，和他的学生共同PI波利齐执行。 让高中以下各个年级的学生都参与到他们的研究中来。学生们还接触到更广泛的纳米技术计划在大学。独特的太赫兹和纳米技术基础设施正在建设中。所提出的设备的潜在应用是太赫兹成像系统的安全相关的检测，以及医疗成像。 该设备也可以应用于太赫兹光谱检测化学物种。这些应用可能会为社会带来巨大的好处。

ECCS-0725613Sigfrid Yngvesson, University of Massachusetts, AmherstIntellectual Merits: This proposal combines two research areas: terahertz technology and nanotechnology. 'Terahertz' refers to electromagnetic waves with frequencies that are of the order of 1012 Hertz, faster than any transistors can operate. The researchers from the University of Massachusetts have developed terahertz detectors for space science applications, and now aim at developing detectors for terahertz radiation that are potentially useful for non-astronomy applications. Their novel idea for a terahertz detector takes advantage of the exceptional electronic transport properties of metallic Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, with diameter of typically 0.6-1.5 nm, much smaller than previous detectors. The device consists of a short carbon nanotube, connected to a photo-etched terahertz antenna on a silicon substrate. Terahertz radiation is converted either to DC or (when two terahertz frequencies are incident) to a microwave frequency which can be further amplified. The unique property of the proposed SWNT detector is that it is predicted to be able to operate one hundred times faster than previous detectors, and function at higher temperatures. The group has demonstrated prototypes of such detectors for microwaves and terahertz radiation. A very important component of this proposal is ab-initio simulations of the devices, literally atom by atom, performed by Co-PI Polizzi, internationally recognized expert on simulations of nano devices, and his students.Broader Impacts: The University of Massachusetts researchers have a long record of involving students at all levels down to high school in their research. The students also are exposed to the broader nanotechnology program at the university. Unique terahertz and nano-technology infrastructure is being built up. The potential applications for the proposed device are to Terahertz Imaging Systems for security-related detection, as well as medical imaging. The devices could also be applied in terahertz spectroscopy for detection of chemical species. These applications can potentially provide substantial benefits to society.