Precision metrology for millimetre and sub-millimetre wave communications

该项目将为利用亚毫米波（太赫兹）频率范围（通常为0.3至3.0太赫兹）的应用开发先进的测量能力。具体而言，它将研究和开发新的策略，以提供使用波导太赫兹网络分析仪和自由空间太赫兹光谱仪的可跟踪测量精度的阶跃变化改进。在项目期间，博士生将使用光学技术为波导和样品支架开发新的高精度校准工艺。预计这些技术将大大提高当前系统的精度，其精度目前受到机械“针孔”对准的限制，最终导致亚毫米波/太赫兹通信和电子设备的新组件连接策略，这是这些行业长期寻求的。该项目将利用欧洲第一个1太赫兹网络分析仪，安装在坎宁安教授在利兹的研究所，以及利兹团队的独特专业知识，该团队已经在该领域与国家物理实验室有很强的合作。最终，这些发展预计将成为通信部门采用亚毫米波频率范围的关键，通信部门目前正开始扩展到这一频率范围。因此，这项研究将极大地促进各种电子元件、通信技术和科学仪器的发展。”

This project will develop advanced measurement capabilities for applications exploiting the submm-wave (terahertz) frequency range (typically, from 0.3 to 3.0 THz). Specifically, it will research and develop new strategies to provide a step-change improvement in accuracy of traceable measurements using both wave-guided terahertz network analysers and free-space terahertz spectrometers. During the project, the PhD student will develop new high-precision alignment processes for waveguides and sample holders using optical techniques. These are expected to dramatically increase the accuracy, by several orders of magnitude, of current systems where the accuracy is currently limited by mechanical "pin and hole" alignment, leading finally to a new component connection strategy for submm-wave/terahertz communications and electronics, long sought by these industries. The project will make use of Europe's first 1 THz network analyser, installed in Prof Cunningham's research institute at Leeds, as well as the unique expertise of the Leeds team, which already has a very strong collaboration in this area with NPL. Ultimately, such developments are expected to be key to the adoption of the submm-wave frequency range by the communications sector, which is now beginning to expand into this frequency range. A wide range of electronic components, communications technologies and scientific instruments will thus be greatly facilitated by this research."