A UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
CROSS-DISCIPLINARY INITIATIVE
LABORATORY FOR
TERAHERTZ SCIENCE
OBJECTIVE
To exploit the mature and unique base of expertise
in terahertz source and detector technology in Charlottesville
to enable forefront research in both applied and basic science.
PARTICIPATING DISCIPLINES
- Astronomy Department
- Chemistry Department
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
- National Radio Astronomy Observatory
- Physics Department
TERAHERTZ SCIENCE
The terahertz region of the electromagnetic spectrum
encompasses wavelengths of 0.01 to 1.0 millimeter. It lies between the
more fully exploited infrared and microwave regions. With the recent
emergence of powerful technologies for generation, detection, and
analysis of signals in this band, the terahertz region represents a
new frontier for both basic and applied research.
Terahertz technologies enable a diverse set of investigations in local
laboratories, at national laboratories and observatories, and in
aircraft and spacecraft. These include such areas as studies of the
formation of galaxies in the early universe, ultra-fast pulsed laser
probes of molecular structures and dynamics, high sensitivity remote
detection of explosives or pathogens, and medical diagnostics.
EXISTING EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES
The University and the Charlottesville area already have world-class
expertise in terahertz science and technology and a long history of
well-funded and productive research groups. There is a breadth of
talent and capabilities here that is unique in the country:
-
The
Millimeter and Submillimeter Electronics Research Group in
Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) is a world leader in
designing and fabricating semiconductor and superconducting devices in
the millimeter and submillimeter range. It has received extensive
support from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, NASA, NSF, and
numerous other sponsors and collaborators around the world.
-
The Far Infrared Receiver Laboratory, run jointly by ECE
and Physics, has extensive capabilities for designing and
testing sources, receivers, and instruments in the terahertz range.
This facility was created in 1986 and has received more than $10 million in
support from the U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center to date.
-
The Atomic and Laser Physics Group has expertise in laser-assisted
generation of very high peak power, very short duration terahertz
pulses and the characterization of those pulses using electronically
excited atoms.
- The
Molecular Spectroscopy and Dynamics Research Group in the
Chemistry department studies the structure of large molecules and
chemical reaction dynamics using time-resolved, ultrafast laser pulse
techniques. It is exploring terahertz spectroscopy as a means of
studying critical problems in the dynamics of biological systems,
such as the geometry of protein folding.
- The
Central Development Laboratory of the National Radio Astronomy
Observatory has internationally recognized expertise in detectors and
receivers for the microwave through submillimeter range using
semiconductor and superconducting technologies. NRAO is now building
the $300 million
Atacama Large Millimeter Array, the world's largest
and most powerful radio telescope operating at millimeter and
sub-millimeter wavelengths. NRAO's headquarters are in Stone Hall on
the UVa Grounds, and the ALMA Science Center will be located here.
-
The
Astronomical Instrumentation Laboratory is a new facility in the
Astronomy department for development of near- and mid-infrared
instruments (complementary to the terahertz region). Through the
Levinson telescope initiative, Astronomy has access to large
world-class telescopes suitable for using new infrared and terahertz
instrumentation.
-
Virginia Diodes Inc. is a local company that designs and
manufactures millimeter and submillimeter mixers, detectors, frequency
multipliers, and sideband generators. The company was founded by
ECE faculty members and maintains close ties to UVa.
-
The Multiple University Research Initiative (MURI) is an
ongoing research collaboration involving Engineering and several other
universities. It is funded by the Army. It studies the interaction of
terahertz radiation with biological and chemical materials to build a
foundation for detecting and identifying biological and chemical
warfare agents.
- Other UVa research groups with interests in exploiting new
capabilities in the terahertz frequency range include spectroscopists
in Chemistry, imaging experts in Medicine and Engineering, and faculty
who work on remote sensing in Environmental Sciences.
-
The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Newport News) is a
major regional laboratory now extending its research into high intensity,
ultra-short terahertz pulses from its Free Electron Laser. Pulse
repetition rate and average power are approximately a million times
higher than high quality laboratory devices, making this source
particularly attractive for imaging applications.
LTS CONCEPT
The Laboratory for Terahertz Science is a mid-scale initiative intended
to bridge and focus existing departmental programs by providing a small number
of excellent faculty appointments together with interdisciplinary
laboratory space, equipment, and staff.
The tentative plan calls for three senior endowed professorships (in
terahertz devices, time domain spectroscopy, and high sensitivity
astronomical detectors), endowed staff and postdoctoral positions, and
combined laboratory space, startup costs, and equipment. The
estimated cost is $15 million, of which $10 million would be in the
form of endowed funds.
FUNDRAISING VIABILITY
- This initiative builds on demonstrated strengths within UVa
departments and draws on unique regional facilities such as NRAO and
the Jefferson Accelerator.
- The departments involved have already established successful
interdisciplinary programs.
- Given existing strengths, the initiative will have a major impact on
this field world-wide.
- The initiative combines basic research in areas such as atomic
physics, molecular structure, and astrophysics with technologies of
rapidly increasing interest for commercial and national defense
applications. It should appeal to a wide range of potential
individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
- There is good federal grant support available in these areas. Private and
grant funds can be used to build on one another.
Related Web Links:
Last modified
1 May 2003 by rwo
Source URL:
http://www.astro.virginia.edu/class/oconnell/LTS
Copyright © 2003 by the University of Virginia.