Terahertz HyperSpectral low-Cost fAst GrapheNe Camera

Introduction

‘TeraScan’ aims to increase the technology readiness level of the state-of-the-art, ultrafast single layer graphene (SLG) detectors operating at terahertz (THz) frequencies, devised under the ERC consolidator grant ‘SPRINT’. The project will also develop a hyperspectral imaging demonstrator suitable for the translation of this technology to industrial end-users.

Project Focus

The focus is on providing a compact, hyperspectral (HS) SLG camera that is:

• Low-cost (<40k€)
• Fast (individual pixel response time < 10 ns)
• Low power consumption (<20W)
• Scalable
• Operating at room temperature
• With NEP < 100 pW/√Hz (frequency independent)

This camera is designed for real-time detection, particularly at operating frequencies > 2.5 THz, far exceeding the performances of commercial THz cameras. Once integrated with multiwavelength high-power quantum cascade lasers, the resulting far-field hyperspectral imaging system is planned to exceed by orders of magnitude the cost reduction, speed, and resolution performances of commercial time-domain spectroscopy systems.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the project are to:

1. Manufacture a compact, portable, and user-friendly THz SLG camera.
2. Integrate it, on a portable optical bench, with THz QCLs.
3. Validate its core technology with commercial end-users and at trade shows.
4. Evaluate opportunities by identifying novel end-user applications.
5. Conduct a detailed market, IPR, and regulatory compliance study.

By the end of this programme, the goal is to identify a solid exploitation route by directly cooperating with THz instrument producers and targeted commercial end-users.

Long-term Impact

Endorsing a solid commercial exploitation route, TeraScan prospects new directions and long-term impacts in a frontier frequency domain, affecting many interdisciplinary fields such as:

• Engineering
• Biology
• Medicine
• Cultural heritage
• Quantum communications