Collaborative Research: Active Metamaterial/pHEMT Hybrid Devices for Terahertz Modulation and Detection

这项研究的目的是设计和开发一套在太赫兹频率下工作的电子设备。该方法基于利用GaAs HEMT器件通道中门控二维电子气体的等离子体波共振行为对超材料结构进行主动控制。智力优势：该研究的重点是创造独特的超材料/pHEMT混合设备，以填补“太赫兹空白”，目前很少有组件存在。该基本方法独特地将新兴的电磁超材料领域与晶体管中的新型等离子体波电子输运现象结合起来。亚微米晶体管中的等离子体波行为为探测和调制太赫兹频率信号提供了独特的可能性。将开发调制器和解调器设备架构，以促进太赫兹频段的无线通信，目标数据速率超过每秒数百千兆比特。更广泛的影响：该研究将有助于促进不同领域的发展，如高数据速率无线通信，用于癌症检测的太赫兹光谱和国土安全工具。该项目将在波士顿学院和塔夫茨大学建立超材料和太赫兹电子学领域的研究和教学实验室。该项目将通过针对本科生的研究项目和针对弱势群体学生的暑期项目来支持多样性和拓展活动。研究人员还计划在少数族裔占主导地位的当地高中开设讲座，并积极参与塔夫茨大学（Tufts University）和波士顿学院（Boston College）建立的K-12学生教师指导项目。

The objective of the research is to design and develop a suite of electronic devices operating at terahertz frequencies. The approach is based on the active control of metamaterial structures using plasma wave resonant behavior of the gated two-dimensional electron gas in the channel of GaAs HEMT devices. Intellectual Merit: The research is focused on the creation of unique metamaterial/pHEMT hybrid devices to fill the "terahertz gap," where very few components exist today. The fundamental approach uniquely combines the emerging field of electromagnetic metamaterials with novel plasma wave electronic transport phenomena in transistors. The plasma wave behavior in sub-micron transistors offers the unique possibility to detect and modulate terahertz frequency signals. Modulator and demodulator device architectures will be developed to facilitate wireless communications in the terahertz regime with targeted data rates exceeding hundreds of gigabits per second. Broader Impacts: The research will help catalyze development in diverse areas such as high data rate wireless communications, terahertz spectroscopy for cancer detection and tools for homeland security. The project will establish research and teaching laboratories at Boston College and Tufts University in the area of metamaterials and terahertz electronics. The project will support diversity and outreach activities through research programs for undergraduates and summer programs for students from under-represented groups, The researchers also plan to offer lectures at local high schools primarily in minority-dominated neighborhoods, and participate actively in K-12 student-teacher mentorship programs established at Tufts University and Boston College.