MRI: Acquisition of Terahertz Ray Research Facility

CBET-0821556汤姆森最近，太赫兹频率范围内的电磁辐射，也就是众所周知的太赫兹射线(T-射线)，已成为科学和工程中各种应用中最有前途的测量能量形式之一。T射线位于微波和红外之间相对未被探索的区域，被许多人认为是电磁光谱中的最后一个前沿。最近，由于仪器的进步和对T-射线成像和光谱学系统的获取，这一点已经变得可以实现。爱荷华州立大学最初对该系统的兴趣来自于在物理、化学和工程方面的许多应用，包括应用于光子和超材料的表征、离子液体的溶剂化、多相燃烧和流动过程的基础研究、复合材料的无损评估和生物工程。考虑到这种设备的新颖性和可获得性有限，毫无疑问，将会有许多最初没有预料到的应用。因此，将留出一部分用户时间用于创新的探索性项目。此外，还将向其他机构的用户提供时间，允许其他机构探索这些特殊机会。拟议的设备采购具有极高的智力价值，当一个新的测量前沿被开辟时，这一点是可以预期的。其中一个原因是，新进入的太赫兹频率区域是一个分子共振占主导地位的区域。因此，T-射线的吸收光谱对水蒸气、极性塑料、某些气体、DNA、晶体固体、生物燃料原料和炸药等物质表现出明显的特征。在上述项目领域中确定了可通过该技术获得独特实验信息的问题的例子，并在提案中更详细地阐述了这些问题。提议团队处于研究这些问题的绝佳位置，因为他们在凝聚态物理、化学、燃烧和环境工程、无损评估和其他科学和工程领域拥有强大的实验和理论项目。还预计，随着这一广泛的群体在共同设施中工作，新的跨学科机会将显现出来。将一部分用户时间用于创新的探索性项目和来自其他机构的协作用户旨在最大限度地增加探索性研究的机会。这项仪器的收购将给社会带来更广泛的重大利益。除了基础科学研究外，T-射线在汽车、航空、食品、能源、材料、制药、医疗诊断、法医、国防和国土安全等领域的应用也在迅速崛起。可以预期，根据拟议设备的可获得性，这些领域将取得广泛进展。与一种新的科学工具相关的智力兴奋，以及对社会有重大好处的实际应用的存在，将使这一领域成为学生们非常感兴趣的领域。除了对研究生和本科生的明显教育外，这一前沿工具将成为招收和培养更多样化学生群体的中心磁石。例如，首席调查员目前正在参与旨在增加西班牙裔、非裔美国人和美洲原住民学生参与的方案，围绕这一工具建立的设施应该会增加这些方案的吸引力。

CBET-0821556ThompsonRecently, electromagnetic radiation in the terahertz frequency range, best known as terahertz rays (T-rays), has emerged as one of the most promising energy forms for measurement in a variety of applications in science and engineering. T-rays, residing in a relatively unexplored region between the microwave and infrared, are considered by many to be the last frontier in the electromagnetic spectrum. This has recently become accessible because of instrumentation advances and the acquisition of a system for T-ray imaging and spectroscopy is proposed. Initial interest in this system at Iowa State University was motivated by a number of applications in physics, chemistry and engineering, and includes applications to the characterization of photonic and metamaterials, solvation of ionic liquids, fundamental studies of multiphase combustion and flow processes, nondestructive evaluation of composite materials, and bioengineering. Given the newness and limited availability of such equipment, there will doubtlessly be numerous applications that are not initially expected. Accordingly, a portion of the user time will be set aside for innovative exploratory projects. In addition time will be made available to users from other institutions to allow others to explore these special opportunities. The intellectual merit of the proposed equipment acquisition is extremely high, as would be expected when a new measurement frontier is opened. Among the reasons for this is the fact that the newly accessible terahertz frequency regime is one in which molecular resonances dominate. Accordingly, the absorption spectra of T-rays exhibit distinct signatures for substances such as water vapor, polar plastics, certain gases, DNA, crystalline solids, biofuel feedstocks and explosives. Examples of problems in which unique experimental information can be obtained by this technique are identified in the project areas described above and developed in greater detail in the proposal. The proposing team is in an excellent position to investigate these because of its strong experimental and theoretical programs in condensed matter physics, chemistry, combustion and environmental engineering, nondestructive evaluation and other areas of science and engineering. It is also anticipated that new interdisciplinary opportunities will manifest themselves as this broad group works in a common facility. The dedication of a portion of the user time to innovative exploratory projects and collaborative users from other institutions is designed to maximize the opportunity for exploratory research. Significant Broader benefits to society will be a natural outcome of this instrumentation acquisition. In addition to fundamental scientific studies, applications of T-rays are rapidly emerging in a number of areas including the automotive, aviation, food, energy, materials, pharmaceuticals, medical diagnosis, forensics, defense, and homeland security. It can be expected that broad advances in such areas can be expected based on accessibility to the proposed equipment. The intellectual excitement associated with a new scientific tool, along with the existence of practical applications that have major benefit to society, will make this an area of significant interest to students. In addition to the obvious education of graduate and undergraduate students that will occur, this forefront instrumentation will serve as a magnet that will be a centerpiece in efforts to recruit and educate a more diverse student body. As an example, the Principal Investigator is currently engaged in programs aimed at increasing the involvement of Hispanic, African American and Native American students, and the facility built around this instrumentation should increase the attractiveness of those programs.