TeraView at EMPC 2013 - European Microelectronics and Packaging Conference

TeraView will be attending EMPC 2013 (European Microelectronics and Packaging Conference).

TeraView will be presenting the paper by the title "Non-Destructive Fault localization in Advanced IC Packages Using Electro Optical Terahertz Pulse Reflectometry"  in session WP6 in the afternoon of the 11th of September.

View technical programme

Please contact Jesse Alton if you would like to arrange a meeting.

To view a list of all our events visit TeraView`s events webpage

Conference Overview

IMAPS-Europe European Microelectronics and Packaging Conference EMPC is the Major Electronics packaging, interconnection and integration conference of Europe.

EMPC-2013 is co-sponsored by IMAPS-Europe and IEEE-CPMT and builds upon the successful IEEE Electronics System-Integration Technology Conference ESTC (2010, Berlin) and EMPC-2011, Brighton. Each biennial event attracted over 350 delegates worldwide.

A THz spectroscopy method for quantifying the degree of crystallinity in freeze-dried gelatin/amino acid mixtures: An application for the development of rapidly disintegrating tablets

• J. Darkwah, 
• G. Smith, 
• I. Ermolina

• Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK

Abstract

Objective

In rapidly disintegrating tablets (RDTs) manufactured by freeze-drying processes, the % crystallinity of the freeze-dried matrix underpins the physical properties such as mechanical strength and dissolution profile. This study examines the feasibility of using terahertz pulsed spectroscopy (TPS) as an off-line tool (in the first instance) for assessing the degree of crystallinity in co-freeze dried amino-acid/gelatine mixtures.

Materials and method: Three amino acids (L- alanine, serine and proline) were studied by TPS (in the wave number range of 3 to 100 cm⁻¹) both in the pure crystalline form and in the form of a co-freeze-dried matrix with gelatin (in weight fractions of 10:90, 30:70, 50:50, and 70:30).

Results

In co-freeze dried proline/gelatin matrix no crystallinity was observed using TPS, whereas ∼62% ± 1% (n = 3) and 72% ± 0.5% (n = 3) crystallinity was observed in the co-freeze dried alanine/gelatin matrix (50%w/w and 70%w/w respectively). Similarly, ∼41% ± 0.5% (n = 3) and ∼80% ± 0.5% (n = 3) crystallinity was observed in the serine/gelatin matrix (30% w/w and 50% w/w respectively).

Conclusion

The potential for using TPS as a quantitative in-line tool for determining the degree of crystallinity in a range of complex systems such as RDTs, conventional tablets, sprayed dried micro particles, is suggested from these results

For more information, follow this link

... of the resultant 9 measurements (n = 3 samples x 3 points).95 2.3 Terahertz spectroscopy The
experimental setup and principles of terahertz pulsed spectroscopy ... A TPS spectra 3000 (TeraView Limited, UK) in transmission mode was used to obtain THz absorption spectra ...

Characterization of T-ray Penetration to Composite Materials

Kwang-Hee Im, David K. Hsu, Chien-Ping Chiou, Daniel J. Barnard and In-Young Yang

Department of Auto. Eng., Woosuk University 490, Samrae-up, Wanju-kun, Chonbuk, 565-701, Korea

Center for Nondestructive Evaluation, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA

School of Mechanical Eng., Chosun University, 375 Seosuk-dong, Dong-gu, Kwangju 501-759, Korea

Abstract

Using T-ray (Terahertz waves) characterization of the non-destructive evaluation was made on the penetration on composite materials. The modalities of the T-ray radiation used were time domain spectroscopy (TDS) and continuous wave (CW) for composites. The composite materials investigated include both non-conducting polymeric composites and carbon fiber composites. T-ray signals in the TDS mode resembles that of ultrasound; however, unlike ultrasound, T-ray pulse can detect a crack hidden behind a larger crack (shadow effect). Thick GFRP laminates containing double saw cuts was tested. Also, in carbon composites the penetration of T-ray waves was investigated in order to detect flawsis strongly affected by the angle between the electric field vector of the terahertz waves and the intervening fiber directions. The T-ray effect was intensively studied between the carbon fiber direction and the electric field of T-ray. Other composites tested in this study include both solid laminates and honeycomb sandwiches. The defects and anomalies investigated by T-ray were foreign material inclusions, simulated disbond and delamination, mechanical impact damage, and water or hydraulic fluid ingression. The intensive characterization of T-ray for the NDE of composites is being discussed.

... 2. T-ray system 2.1 T-ray scanner The terahertz instrumentation systems used in this research
were provided by TeraView Limited. The instrumentation includes a time domain spectroscopy
(TDS) pulsed system and a frequency domain continuous wave (CW) system. ...

Keywords: T-ray, Time domain spectroscopy, Composite materials, Penetration.

Full paper

Systematic study of terahertz time-domain spectra of historically informed black inks

Tiphaine Bardon,^a   Robert K. May,^b   Philip F. Taday^b and  Matija Strlič*^a  

*corresponding author
^aCentre for Sustainable Heritage, Bartlett School of Graduate Studies, University College London, 14 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H 0NN, UK 
E-mail: m.strlic@ucl.ac.uk

^bTeraView Ltd, Platinum Building, St John's Innovation Park, Cambridge CB4 0DS, UK 
E-mail: phil.taday@teraview.com

Abstract

The potential of terahertz-time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) as a diagnostic tool for studies of inks in historical documents is investigated in this paper. Transmission mode THz-TDS was performed on historically informed model writing and drawing inks. Carbon black, bistre and sepia inks show featureless spectra between 5 and 75 cm−1 (0.15–2.25 THz); however, their analysis still provided useful information on the interaction of terahertz radiation with amorphous materials. On the other hand, THz-TDS can be used to distinguish different iron gall inks with respect to the amount of iron(II) sulfate contained, as sharp spectral features are observed for inks containing different ratios of iron(II) sulfate to tannic or gallic acid. Additionally, copper sulfate was found to modify the structure of iron(II) precipitate. Furthermore, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) applied to THz-TDS spectra, highlights changes in iron gall inks during thermal degradation, during which a decrease in the sharp spectral bands associated with iron(II) sulfate is observed. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy combined with THz-TDS of dynamically heated ink samples indicate that this phenomenon is due to dehydration of iron(II) sulfate heptahydrate. While this research demonstrates the potential of THz-TDS to improve monitoring of the chemical state of historical documents, the outcomes go beyond the heritage field, as it also helps to develop the theoretical knowledge on interactions between terahertz radiation and matter, particularly in studies of long-range symmetry (polymorphism) in complex molecular structures and the role played by the surrounding matrix, and also indicates the potential of THz-TDS for the optimization of contrast in terahertz imaging.

Analyst, 2013, Advance Article

DOI: 10.1039/C3AN00331KFirst published online 24 Jun 2013

 

...data was acquired using a TPS Spectra 3000 (TeraViewLtd., Cambridge UK) in transmission mode within the range 5 – 100 cm-1 (~0.15 –3 THz). 500 scans were collected at 1.2 cm-1 spectral resolution. ...

Experimental Explosive Characterization for Counterterrorist Investigation

D. Etayo, 

I. Maestrojuan, 

J. Teniente, 

I. Ederra, 

R. Gonzalo

Abstract

A THz spectral characterization of different explosives of special interest for the Spanish National Security Forces “Guardia Civil” is presented in this paper. This forensic analysis has been done in the frequency range from 0.060 THz to 3.5 THz using the Teraview TPS Spectra 3000 system in laboratory conditions. With this equipment the refractive index, absorbance and complex permittivity of the explosive samples have been obtained. In this study, some of the most common used explosives (Bullet gunpowder, mine gunpowder, PETN, TNT, RDX) are analysed paying special attention to differences related to the manufacturing process used to elaborate some of them and to the purity of the samples. The different fabrication processes of the explosives lead to the same spectral behaviour and characteristics. At the same time, the inclusion of some additives in the explosive samples does not alter their main electromagnetic properties. The sensitivity limit of the measurement system has been found to be to 10 mg of explosives. These results will be used to design future THz imaging systems that allow to detect and identify them in security and defence applications and/or to complete laboratory studies after a terrorist action.

Detection of covered materials in the TDS-THz setup

Proc. SPIE 8716, Terahertz Physics, Devices, and Systems VII: Advanced Applications in Industry and Defense, 871608 (May 31, 2013); 
doi:10.1117/12.2015373

Authors:
Norbert Palka
Military Univ. of Technology (Poland)

More details at: http://proceedings.spiedigitallibrary.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=1693464

Abstract

We report on a new method for extracting the characteristic features of covered materials, including Hexogen, in the range 0.5–1.8 THz. This time domain spectroscopy-based technique takes into account only part of the signal reflected from a covered sample, and analyzes it by Fourier transform. The obtained power spectrum has distinctive peaks that correspond to peaks measured in the transmission configuration and can be applied for further identification. We showed results obtained for the samples of hexogen, lactose, and tartaric acid covered with commonly used packaging materials such as plastic, foil, paper and cotton. © (2013) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Topics
Fourier transforms ; Packaging ; Spectroscopy ; Terahertz radiation

In 2011 TeraView supplied two TPS Spectra 3000 systems with a stand-off explosives detection module and a fibre-fed scanning system with multiple gantry options for research into terahertz imaging and non-destructive testing. Military University of Technology (MUT) in Poland is one of the country’s most prestigious research institutes for terahertz research and materials characterisation. Read more...

Terahertz spectra of materials measured by the OPO-based system

Proc. SPIE 8716, Terahertz Physics, Devices, and Systems VII: Advanced Applications in Industry and Defense, 87160Y (May 31, 2013); doi:10.1117/12.2015375

Authors: 
Michał J. Walczakowski, Norbert Palka, Przemyslaw Zagrajek, Mieczyslaw Szustakowski

Military Univ. of Technology (Poland)

Abstract

We report on measurements of transmission spectra of chosen materials (Hexogen, sugar, L-tartaric acid, 4-aminobenzoic acid) in the range 0.7-2.0 THz. The measurements were carried out by means of a setup, which bases on the optical parametric oscillator (OPO) combined with the hot electron bolometer (HEB). The setup consists of the commercially available tunable OPO working in the range 0.7-2.0 THz with repetition rate 53 Hz, duration of the impulse of about 20ns and energy 10nJ. The beam was detected by the fast and sensitive HEB. The spectra were compared to results obtained from a standard time domain spectroscopy (TDS) setup. Only small discrepancies between spectra measured by both methods are observed. For the range 0.7-2.0 THz typical features can be identified using both methods. Above 2 THz the TDS setup seems to have better performance in terms of signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity. © (2013) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Topics
Bolometers ; Electrons ; Optical parametric oscillators ; Signal to noise ratio ; Spectroscopy ; Terahertz radiation

Citation
Michał J. Walczakowski ; Norbert Palka ; Przemyslaw Zagrajek and Mieczyslaw Szustakowski" Terahertz spectra of materials measured by the OPO-based system ", Proc. SPIE 8716, Terahertz Physics, Devices, and Systems VII: Advanced Applications in Industry and Defense, 87160Y (May 31, 2013); doi:10.1117/12.2015375;http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2015375

The TPS Spectra 3000 was used in this study