Award Abstract #0320624
MRI: Development of Tomographic Imaging Instrumentation with Terahertz Radiation

NSF Org:	ECCS Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems
Initial Amendment Date:	August 29, 2003
Latest Amendment Date:	August 29, 2003
Award Number:	0320624
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Radhakisan S. Baheti ECCS Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems ENG Directorate for Engineering
Start Date:	September 1, 2003
Expires:	August 31, 2005 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$299850
Investigator(s):	Xi-Cheng Zhang zhangxc@rpi.edu (Principal Investigator) Toh-Ming Lu (Co-Principal Investigator) Michael Shur (Co-Principal Investigator) Gwo-Ching Wang (Co-Principal Investigator) Roland Kersting (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 110 8TH ST Troy, NY 12180 518/276-6000
NSF Program(s):	MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION
Field Application(s):	0112000 System Theory
Program Reference Code(s):	OTHR, 1189, 0000
Program Element Code(s):	1189

ABSTRACT

Development of Tomographic Imaging Instrumentation with Terahertz Radiation

A Project Summary

The Center for Terahertz (THz) Research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is seeking NSF

support for the development of a THz wave tomographic imaging system that will provide the

first-ever THz capability to produce real-time, large-scale, long-distance, three-dimensional (3D)

images. Like conventional X-ray CT systems, the THz system will provide 3D mapping of

structured objects, but without subjecting biological tissue to harmful radiation. In addition, it

will offer important spectroscopic information that conventional systems cannot supply. The

instrumentation will provide real-time images across an ultra-wide frequency band, extending

from 100 gigahertz to 10 terahertz, at a variable frame rate from single-shot up to 1,000 frames

per second, and it will be able to non-invasively image moving objects, turbulent flows, or

explosions.

THz research is central to Rensselaer's strategic plan because it is a key enabling technology for

both of the university's major focus areas, information technology and biotechnology.

Rensselaer has strongly supported the formation of the THz Center, with Dr. Zhang as founding

director. The university is providing 5,000 square feet of laboratory space, substantial financial

support for renovation and equipment, and three new faculty positions in the next four years,

with a concomitant increase in graduate and undergraduate researchers.

Intellectual merit: The proposed instrumentation will be an important step forward for THz

science. During the last decade, Rensselaer's team has been exploring this previously hidden

portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is located between the infrared and the

microwave bands. Basic THz science and technology is in its infancy, but as it improves, it has

the potential to trigger transformational advances that will impact economic development and

quality of life at every level. Examples of interdisciplinary fields that could gain important new

instrumentation include homeland security, biomedical research, communications, environmental

monitoring, agriculture, and forensic science.

Broader impact: Successful development of the equipment will have a broad impact. In recent

years, worldwide excitement about this field has grown exponentially, as evidenced by an

expanding number of research groups that have published more than 1,400 scientific papers on

THz science since 1990. During the last several years, scientists and engineers from 75

universities, companies, and clinics have visited Rensselaer THz-related programs, and

Rensselaer's team has helped scientists from 18 countries learn how to use THz sensors. This

new instrumentation will be a key enabling technology for the THz Center, providing new

research capabilities for an interdisciplinary group of Rensselaer faculty, postdoctoral associates,

and graduate and undergraduate students, as well as for visiting scientists and external

collaborators. It will be used to test numerous advanced sensing and imaging concepts in the

THz frequency range, with immediate concentration on homeland security and a longer-term

interest in biomedical applications. Jefferson Laboratory, UC Santa Barbara, and Rensselaer

have proposed creation of the National THz User Facility, and this system would be at the heart

of one of the user nodes. Based on past experience with Rensselaer's THz research, the

instrumentation is also expected to provide a model for systems that will be developed in

laboratories around the world.

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