Low-loss terahertz waveguides and devices for sensors and communication systems

Terahertz (THz) wave holds great promise for industrial and scientific applications in security screening, sensing, material characterisation, astronomy and communications. However, this part of the spectrum still hasn’t been extensively utilised, largely because of the immaturity of device and instrumentation technologies. One bottleneck is the high transmission losses in guided structures at THz resulting in generally low device efficiency. This has significantly restricted solid-state THz devices from realising their full potentials towards real world application. This PhD project aims to investigate and develop low-loss THz waveguide structures for guided transmission, passive devices and antennas, through innovative designs and the exploitation of new materials and fabrication techniques. The project will demonstrate a number of devices at 300 GHz and above. Design for manufacturing will be a major focus of the project. The research should foster the advancement of THz technologies, especially for those based on electronic approaches, towards commercial exploitation in sensors and communication systems.

The PhD student will primarily (i) analyse waveguide-based transmission media theoretically; (ii) design passive devices and antennas using full-wave simulation tools; (ii) experimentally verify the designs through measurement campaign. Other activities supporting the research will also be carried out when required. The PhD candidate is expected to develop the expertise to lead the research project and to interact with colleagues with different backgrounds and from different disciplines (i.e., electromagnetism, physics, material science).

The research programme will take place in Emerging Device Technology (EDT) research group (https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/eese/edt/index.aspx) from EESE Department and in close collaboration with Dr M. Navarro-Cía from the School of Physics and Astronomy. The group is specialised in developing new device technologies using advanced microwave design methods, new materials and manufacturing techniques.