Design and fabrication of a terahertz time domain vector network analyzer for material and device characterization

本提案的重点是开发和制造光电太赫兹片上系统（TSoC）时域矢量网络分析仪（TSoC- TDVNA）。TSoC- TDVNA是一种测量电子元件和材料的复杂散射参数的器件，最高可达3- 4太赫兹。拟议的研究计划的目标是扩展我们之前的工作，并将TSoC- TDVNA开发成一个可行的、创新的和必要的平台。为了实现这一目标，我们将开始缩放微波/毫米波组件到太赫兹范围，以展示独特的功能。我们之前的工作开始了这一过程，但重点是测量传输幅度（即标量网络分析仪），这提供了有价值的信息，但该方法缺乏表征重要参数（如有效介电常数和磁导率）所需的相位信息。提议的TSoC-TDVNA将固有地解析相位信息并扩展当前系统的功能。这项任务面临许多挑战（设计、制造和实验），需要新颖的解决方案来保持超宽带系统的高光谱分辨率和动态范围。由于发明了一种目前尚不存在的低成本太赫兹带宽矢量网络分析仪，该研究计划将产生重大影响。该提案的另一个关键组成部分是促进多学科太赫兹研究。我们将微流控通道整合到TSoC- TDVNA平台中，创造独特的途径，促进化学，生物和医学部门的合作。我们将该装置称为TSoC-微流控测试台或TSoC-µFTB。TSoC-µFTB将集成和简化标准太赫兹光谱系统固有的复杂性。例如，许多液体在太赫兹频率下具有高吸收性，因此需要仔细控制样品相互作用区域（±5µm）以达到最佳灵敏度-所提出的TSoC-µFTB为该问题提供了一种新颖的解决方案。

This proposal focuses on the development and fabrication of an optoelectronic terahertz system-on-chip (TSoC) time--domain vector network analyzer (TSoC--TDVNA). The TSoC--TDVNA is a device that measures the complex scattering parameters of electronic components and materials up to 3--4 THz. The objective of the proposed research program is to expand upon our prior work and develop the TSoC--TDVNA into an enabling, innovative, and essential platform. To achieve this goal, we will begin by scaling microwave/mm--wave components into the THz range to demonstrate unique functionality. Our prior work began this process but focused on measuring the transmission magnitude (i.e., a scalar network analyzer) which provided valuable information, but the method lacked the phase information necessary to characterize important parameters such as effective permittivity and permeability. The proposed TSoC-TDVNA will inherently resolve phase information and extend the capabilities of current systems. This task faces many challenges (design, fabrication, and experimental) which require novel solutions to retain high spectral resolution and dynamic range in an ultra--wideband system. This research program will have significant impact due to the invention of a low-cost THz-bandwidth vector network analyzer, a device which currently does not exist. Another key component of this proposal is to promote multidisciplinary THz research. We will integrate microfluidic channels into TSoC--TDVNA platform to create unique avenue to foster collaboration with chemistry, biology, and medical departments. We term this device a TSoC-microfluidic test bench or TSoC-µFTB. The TSoC-µFTB will integrate and simplify complexities which are inherent to standard THz spectroscopy systems. For example, many liquids are highly absorptive at THz frequencies, thus careful control of sample interaction region (± 5 µm) is necessary to achieve optimal sensitivity - the proposed TSoC-µFTB provides a novel solution to this issue.