MRI: Acquisition of a Terahertz Time Domain Spectrometer

目的：太赫兹(THz)传感是一种很有前途的新技术，在材料探测、医学成像和器件设计等领域有着广泛的应用前景。太赫兹成像具有几个理想的属性，如独特的光谱特征，对亚毫米级特征的敏感性，人员筛查的安全操作，以及穿透材料的能力。然而，研究人员才刚刚开始严格理解复杂的太赫兹特征，这些特征既受化学成分的影响，也受材料微观结构散射的影响。这项提议的目标是通过收购THz时域光谱分析系统来支持协调的THz测量工作。智力上的优点：核心贡献将是开发适合于描述THz波与复杂随机介质(例如，具有随机分散特征的人造或天然材料，如裂纹、颗粒或界面)相互作用的电磁散射模型。了解这种相互作用的需要几乎出现在太赫兹传感的所有潜在应用中，只有通过综合测量工作才能严格解决。广泛的影响：太赫兹系统将支持波特兰州立大学、邻近的学术界和行业合作伙伴的一系列研究和教育活动，从而增加合作并加强妇女的参与(PI和Co-PI都是女性榜样)。学生将有机会参与尖端的太赫兹研究和相关的多机构活动。潜在的社会效益确实令人印象深刻，包括新的医学成像能力或探测隐藏爆炸物的能力的潜力。

Objective:Terahertz (THz) sensing is emerging as a promising new technology with application to a wide number of compelling problems in material probing, medical imaging, and device design. THz imaging has several desirable attributes such as distinctive spectral signatures, sensitivity to sub-millimeter-scale features, safe operation for personnel screening, and the ability to penetrate through materials. However, researchers are only beginning to develop a rigorous understanding of the complicated THz signatures which are influenced by both chemical composition and scattering from a material's microstructure. The objective of this proposal is to support a concerted THz measurement effort with the acquisition of a THz time domain spectroscopy system.Intellectual Merit:A core contribution will be the development of electromagnetic scattering models appropriate for characterizing THz wave interaction with complex random media (for example, manmade or natural materials with randomly dispersed features such as cracks, grains, or interfaces). The need to understand this interaction arises in almost all potential applications of THz sensing and can only be rigorously addressed with an integrated measurement effort.Broader Impact:The THz system will support a host of research and educational activities by researchers at Portland State, neighboring academia, and industry partners, resulting in increased collaboration and strengthening the participation of women (both PI and Co-PI are female role models). Students will have the opportunity to engage in cutting edge THz research and associated multi-institutional activities. The potential societal benefits are truly impressive, including the potential for a new medical imaging capability or the ability to detect concealed explosives.