SC05: THz near-field time-domain microscopy for material and device characterization
Miguel Navarro-Cía
University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
Miguel Navarro-Cía (S’08–M’10–SM’15) received the M.Sci. and Ph.D. degrees in Telecommunication Engineering, and M.Res. degree in Introduction to Research in Communications from the Universidad Pública de Navarra, Spain, in 2006, 2010 and 2007, respectively. He is currently a Birmingham Fellow at University of Birmingham and he is also affiliated with Imperial College London and University College London as a Visiting Researcher. Previously, he was a Research & Teaching Assistant at Universidad Pública de Navarra (2010-2011), a Research Associate at Imperial College London (2011-2012) and University College London (2012), and Junior Research Fellow at Imperial College London (2012-2015). He worked as a Visiting Researcher at University of Pennsylvania for 3 months in 2010, at Imperial College London in 2008, 2009 and 2010 for 4, 6 and 3 months, respectively, and at Valencia Nanophotonics Technology Center for 2 months in 2008. His current research interests are focused on terahertz near-field time-domain microscopy, plasmonics, metamaterials, antennas, complex surface waves, and frequency selective surfaces.
Abstract
The terahertz gap (0.3 – 3 THz) remains still an underused spectral band sandwiched between conventional electronics and optics. It holds promise however for many applications ranging from high-speed wireless indoor communication, high-resolution imaging, security screening and molecular spectroscopy. For all these applications, THz technology needs to be developed to the standards of microwaves and optics. In this quest, THz near-field time-domain microscopy should play a major role since it allows nondestructive detection and visualization of fields on the micrometer scale.
In this framework, an increasing demand of engineers with expertise on THz is foreseen for the next years. As a result EurAAP and IEEE are promoting different activities focused on THz (e.g., IEEE T. THz Sci. Tech., and the Course on Terahertz Technology and Applications from the European School of Antennas). Offering this Short Course at EuCAP will align with this current trend.
Course outline
Aims
This Short Course aims to provide an opportunity for attendees to familiarize with THz near-field time-domain microscopy. The characterization of THz waveguides and Zenneck surface waves on bow-tie antennas as well as single particle near-field studies will be used as practical examples of the usefulness of the technique. Presentations and group discussions will be used in this Short Course. It intends to assist participants to:
- Acquire an understanding of different time-domain THz sources and detectors
- Become more insightful about THz near-field microscopy
- Consider THz near-field microscopy for different applications
Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the Short Course participants will be better able to:
- Classify the different near-field microscopes according to their principle of operation
- Reflect upon the attendee’ beliefs about the challenges in THz near-field microscopy
- Assess the pros and cons of THz near-field microscopy and its different variants for specific applications
- Think about how to use THz near-field microscopy for their specific research topics
Sections
- Why THz now? Time-domain spectroscopy: review.
- Near-field microscopy:
- Motivation
- Types and principle of operation
- Commercial instruments: NeaSNOM & TeraCube
- Applications:
- Propagation in parallel-plate and hollow cylindrical waveguides
- Zenneck surface waves on bow-ties micro-antennas
- single particle characterization