Broad-Band THz Spectroscopy System Upgrade for Research and Student Training in High-Frequency Electronics and Spintronics
Abstract
The purpose of this request for instrumentation is to support the upgrade of a high-sensitivity THz spectroscopic system, working at high magnetic fields (0-9 Tesla) and a wide range of temperatures (4-Kelvin to RT), into higher microwave power (>10dB gain), while expanding its operation frequency range from 220GHz-1.1THz up to 60GHz-1.5THz. The upgrade will result in an unprecedented combination of temperature, magnetic field and frequency range high-sensitivity spectroscopy capabilities within an integrated system to advance several research areas of interest to the DoD, attract junior students to pursue STEM careers, and assist senior undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral associates in their transition into highly qualified technical professions. The proposed upgrade will accomplish the only system in the world capable of performing frequency polarization-tunable broadband spectroscopy in such a wide frequency range in the presence of high magnetic fields and low temperatures, becoming a worldwide reference point for THz electronics and spintronics when considering its integration with the ultrafast laser pulse, high-sensitivity bolometric spectrometry, and on-chip electronic THz sensing capabilities of the principal investigators. The extended frequency span and power levels of the system will provide unique means to advance a diverse set of research projects performed by the principal investigators and their collaborators, as well as a large number of regular users at the UCF and other institutions in the USA. Of particular relevance for the DoD is that the upgraded capabilities will benefit the research activities performed by a MURI Team supported by the AFOSR and lead by PI del Barco to unveil the fundamental properties of THz spin dynamics in antiferromagnetic insulators. The MURI Team brings together eight PIs (including co-PI Peale from UCF), all leaders in the field of antiferromagnetic spintronics and THz science, and multiple external collaborators (including co-PIs Chini and Assefzadeh) with complementary expertise from multiple institutions (UCF, OSU, NYU, UCSC, UCR, OU, CMU and NTNU) worldwide and national laboratories (NHMFL, AFRL and LBNL). In addition, other currently US funded projects will benefit from the upgraded capabilities, including the development THz sources and spectral sensors for chemical and biological agent detection, the design of integrated circuits and antenna systems for THz signal processing, the study of quantum dynamics of spin in molecular nanomagnets, conducting time-resolved terahertz measurements on the magnetic Weyl semimetals, and the study of Kagome and low-dimensional magnetic structures, among others. The research activities enabled by the system will significantly impact underrepresented minorities within the student population at UCF, particularly Hispanic (26% of the total). Leveraging on the PI del BarcoÕs Hispanic ethnicity and built upon the heavy involvement of the PIs in a series of initiatives designed to increase enrollment and retention of STEM students at all levels and facilitate their transition to profession, this system will be used to catalyze student involvement through a series of activities being currently developed by the PIs and their respective departments. These include a natural sciences summer camp program, a Central Florida research exchange program for transfer students, a multi-institutional Physical Science capstone program, and training of a highly diverse technical workforce. The requested system will become a central tool in the training of students ranging from high school to graduate level.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 02, 2022
- Source ID
- W911NF2210127
Entities
People
- Enrique Del Barco
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- University of Central Florida