SPIE.org : Conferences Exhibitions : Upcoming Conferences Exhibitions

SPIE.org : Conferences Exhibitions : Upcoming Conferences Exhibitions

Update for the "Centre for Terahertz Science and Engineering" at Imperial College, London

Imperial College London hosts a number of THz research activities within the Departments of Materials, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Physics.  In addition, with respect to security applications of terahertz radiation, CTSE collaborates closely with Imperial's Institute of Security Science and Technology. 

CTSE aims to become a focal point for industrial cooperation in this rapidly growing area. The Department of Materials at Imperial College London provides a dedicated laboratory for the Centre. 

The CTSE has an existing TeraView TPS Spectra 3000 system; a state-of-the-art turnkey time-domain measurement system for undertaking THz imaging and spectroscopy between 0.06 and 4 THz. In addition the Centre has a frequency-domain on-wafer probe system operating up to 0.11THz using the Agilent N5250A Performance Network Analyser.

Terahertz sensing for security, biomedical sensing and defence represent key applications.

 

TeraView TPS Spectra 3000 system

Agilent N5250A Performance Network Analyser

Terahertz Light for Measuring Coating Thickness and Paint Defects

THE DETROIT SOCIETY FOR COATINGS TECHNOLOGY

37^th Annual Focus Conference

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

At the MSU MANAGEMENT EDUCATION CENTER, TROY, MI

Remember to book your meeting with the speaker 

David Reece will be talking about 

"Terahertz Light for Measuring Coating Thickness 

and Paint Defects"

for more information click here (http://www.dsct.org/speakers.html)

To arrange a meeting with the speaker please e-mail (david.reece@teraview.com)


Also see http://www.teraview.com/applications/nondestructive-testing/paint.html

Characterisation of historic plastics using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and pulsed imaging

ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

DOI: 10.1007/s00216-012-5931-9

Gianluca Pastorelli, Tanja Trafela, Phillip F. Taday, Alessia Portieri, David Lowe, Kaori Fukunaga and Matija Strlič

For more information see http://www.springerlink.com/content/218682g6809873l1/


Abstract
Terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy and 3D THz pulsed imaging have been explored with regard to polymer materials, both commodity and historic polymers. A systematic spectroscopic study of a wide range of different polymer materials showed significant differences in their spectra. Polyolefins and polystyrenes generally exhibit lower absorption than other examined polymers, various cellulose derivates, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(methyl methacrylate), polyamide, hard rubber and phenol formaldehyde resin, the last of these exhibiting the most intense absorption over the entire range, 0.15–4.2 THz. It was also examined how the presence of plasticisers in poly(vinyl chloride), the presence of fillers in polypropylene, and the degree of branching in polyethylene and polystyrene affect the spectra; inorganic fillers in polypropylene affected the absorption most. With 3D THz pulsed imaging, features in polymer objects were explored, appearing either as integral parts of the material (coatings and pores in foams) or as a consequence of physical deterioration (cracks, delamination). All of these features of various complexities can be successfully imaged in 3D. Terahertz technology is thus shown to have significant potential for both chemical and structural characterisation of polymers, which will be of interest to heritage science, but also to the polymer industry and development of analytical technologies in general.


For more information on terahertz imaging visit http://www.teraview.com/products/terahertz-pulsed-spectra-3000/index.html

The 2nd International Symposium on Terahertz Nanoscience (TeraNano 2012), Japan

The 2nd  International Symposium on Terahertz Nanoscience (TeraNano 2012) will take place at "The Okinawa Electromagnetic Technology Center," NICT in Okinawa, Japan, from July. 4 and 5th, 2012.

Deadline for submission is approaching; 1st, May 2012.

For more detail, please visit

http://www.ile.osaka-u.ac.jp/research/THP/TeraNano2012/index.html

Realization of Variable Three-Dimensional Terahertz Metamaterial Tubes for Passive Resonance Tunability

1. Chen Zaichun^1,2, 
2. Mohsen Rahmani^1,3,
3. Gong Yandong², 
4. Chong Tow Chong^1,4,
5. Hong Minghui^1,*

1. 1. ¹
      Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576
   2. ²
      Institute for Infocomm Research, 1 Fusionopolis Way, #21-01 Connexis, Singapore 138632
   3. ³
      Data Storage Institute, ASTAR, DSI Building, 5 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117608
   4. ⁴
      Singapore University of Technology and Design, 287 Ghim Moh Road #04-00, Singapore 279623
   Email: Hong Minghui (elehmh@nus.edu.sg)
   ^*Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576.
   
   
   Abstract
    
   
   
A three-dimensional metamaterial tube is fabricated by rolling up 2D metamaterials on flexible PEN substrate. This novel 3D design of metamaterials can be used to effectively tune the resonance frequency by varying its diameter. Meanwhile, it can also be applied in material identification with a solid-core metamaterials tube.

... Characterization: The characterization is carried out by terahertz time- domain spectroscopy
(THz-TDS, Teraview TPS3000) in transmission mode. The axis of the 3D metamaterials tube
is kept parallel to the propagation direction of the incident terahertz wave, as illustrated ...

for full paper see Adv. Mater.. doi: 10.1002/adma.201104575

See how TeraView can help your metamaterial research visit http://www.teraview.com/products/terahertz-pulsed-spectra-3000/index.html

Terahertz pharmaceutical @ DeMontfont University - open for buisness

Terahertz pulsed spectroscopy (TPS) and terahertz pulsed imaging (TPI) are two novel techniques for the physical characterization of pharmaceutical drug materials & final solid dosage forms.

The Pharmaceutical Technologies facility is based around the TPS Spectra 3000 from TeraView. The TPS 3000 is the world’s first commercial terahertz spectrometer capable of performing both transmission and attenuated total reflection (ATR) measurements. The TPS Spectra 3000 yields superior analytical performance – all while operating under ambient conditions. TPS Spectra 3000’s modular sample compartment accepts standard IR sampling accessories for transmission measurements. ATR modules provide non-destructive measurements of solids, suspensions, slurries pastes and gels. ATR measurements are obtained from as little as 1 mg of solid sample. TPS Spectra 3000 offers enhanced flexibility to investigate intermolecular hydrogen-bonding vibrations, crystalline structure lattice vibrations or low-frequency internal vibrations without concern for thermal effects.

The facility (which is funded by the East Midlands Development Agency and De Montfort University's HEIF) is available to all East Midlands companies via demonstration workshops which are aimed at creating opportunities for process and product development and quality control.  Please see the Applications Section and Document Library for example pharmaceutical and biological uses of this instrument.

For more information, or to book a place on the demonstrator workshops, contact Geoff Smith +44 116 250 6298gsmith02@dmu.ac.uk or download the forms from thes links (Booking Form;   Invitation and Agenda)

Applications

Drug Polymorphism TPS can be used to characterize crystalline properties of drugs and excipients. Different polymorphic forms of a drug can be readily distinguished and quantified, ensuring product quality by maintaining the correct bioavailability of the formulation. Having the wrong polymorph in a formulation can dramatically alter the solubility and hence efficacy of the drug.  

Pharmaceutical Co-crystals These are drugs that have been crystallized with another compound/chemical embedded intimately within the crystal structure. The result is a sold with greater solubility than the pure drug crystal and hence higher therapeutic activity. Many new drugs are poorly soluble and co-crystals are being research intensively as a potential means of improving drug activity. Screening of potential co-crystals is time consuming. Owing to the particular sensitivity of TPS to intermolecular interactions, terahertz therefore offers a potential rapid screening of co-crystal formations.

In-Process Monitoring The pharmaceutical industry is increasing looking at a variety of in-process analytical technologies. TPI and time of flight TPS offers the opportunity of monitoring specific chemical formation processes, such as the batch crystallization of drugs & wet granulation of powders prior to tabletting.

Tablet Coating TPI greatly improves quality control in production and speeds up the development of new coating formulations and processes. Because the tablets are not destroyed during analysis, further tests can be carried out after TPI using the same samples. This approach provides a tool for the detection of problems with coating processes in a very early stage of formulation development.

Solid Dispersions These are mixtures of drug and polymers to form solid particles with high solubility. The distribution and form of the drug within these matrices is critical to their performance as drug delivery systems. TPI can provide imaging of the matrix to identify and control quality parameters related to the functionality of these materials.

Transdermal Drug delivery The skin provides for a convenient route for delivering drugs. However, the top layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, presents a significant barrier to drug delivery. TPI provides a convenient imaging tool for investigating the hydration and thickness of the stratum corneum, which are two of the most significant features defining the barrier function. In addition TPI can be used to image the disintegration of subcutaneous implants, and provide for models of drug dissolution in real time. Again this is essential knowledge for drug development companies in these efforts to use solid dispersions in drug delivery applications.

Dental TPI provides a convenient approach to the imaging of enamel thickness, the measurement of demineralization of imaging of early stage caries, which is either not-possible of difficult to achieve with X-Ray, which is also ionizing and hazardous. TPI is non-ionising and safe.

Oncology In working with the Leicestershire Hospitals trust a number of medical applications will be developed. One potential application is the use of TPI for a non-invasive imaging of sub-surface skin and mouth tumors. ‘Hot-spots’, below the skin surface, can highlight the progression of the tumor and help define intervention and treatment strategies.

SPIE Defense, Security and Defense meeting (23 - 27 April 2012)

TeraView customers present their recent research at the SPIE Defense, Security and Defense meeting 23 - 27 April 2012, Baltimore Convention Center Baltimore, Maryland United States

Terahertz properties of single-crystal  ferroelectric and dielectric materials  Paper 8363-5 of Conference 8363 Date: Monday, 23 April 2012 Author(s): S. K. Sundaram, New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred Univ. (United States); R. J. Koch, Alfred Univ. (United States); John S. McCloy, Pacific Northwest National Lab. (United States)
Abstract
Frequency dependence of complex permittivity of selected ferroelectric and dielectric single crystals and ceramics has been measured in the terahertz (THz) region using time-domain THz spectroscopy. This has been accomplished by measuring transmittance through the samples over a broad range of about 300 GHz to about 4THz in our laboratory. Samples include crystals of BaTiO3, SrTiO3, LiNbO3, LiTaO3, LaAlO3, and Bi4Ge3O12 and a polycrystalline ceramics of (PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3)0.73-(PbTiO3)0.27. We have compared our results with millimeter wave (MMW), RF, microwave, and optical frequency permittivities of these materials. Effects of crystallographic orientations on the dielectric properties have also been examined. Our results demonstrate that dielectric properties of these materials in the THz region correlate well with data obtained in other spectral regions, thereby expanding available data to a wider range of the electromagnetic spectrum. For TeraView's range of products see http://www.teraview.com/products/index.html for more information about  the Spectra 3000 spectrometer click here (http://www.teraview.com/products/terahertz-pulsed-spectra-3000/index.html) For more information information click here

Terahertz absorption spectra of benzene-1,2-diol, benzene-1,3-diol and benzene-1,4-diol

Chemical Physics Letters

Volumes 525–526, 16 February 2012, Pages 140–143

• Zhuan-Ping Zheng, 
• Wen-Hui Fan, 
• Hui Yan

Abstract

The terahertz spectra (8–128 cm⁻¹) of three structural isomers have been measured using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy at room temperature. Substantial differences among these THz spectra have been found and implied that THz-TDS is an excellent tool to identify isomers. Numerical calculation based on solid-state density functional theory has been carried out and assigned the observed THz features theoretically. Good agreement between the calculated and experimentally measured spectra for benzene-1,2-diol and benzene-1,3-diol has been achieved. According to the calculated results, it is found that the measured THz spectra of these two isomers mainly originate from intermolecular vibrations.

Molecular arrangement and crystal packing of benzene-1,2-diol, benzene-1,3-diol and benzene-1,4-diol. The left-hand panel is a view along the crystalline b axis, the mid- and the right-hand ones are the views along the crystallinec axis. The green and dashed lines show the hydrogen bonds between molecules in the unit cell. 

To read the full paper click here (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009261411015739)

For more information about  the Spectra 3000 spectrometer click here

(http://www.teraview.com/products/terahertz-pulsed-spectra-3000/index.html)

Terahertz spectra of explosive materials

We have been asked for a reference for the terahertz spectra of explosive materials.


Below is a paper that was written a number of years ago been and is still of interest


The very far-infrared spectra of energetic materials and possible confusion materials using terahertz pulsed spectroscopy
Vibrational Spectroscopy 42(2)243-248(2006).
T. Lo, I.S. Gregory, C. Baker, P.F. Taday, W.R. Tribe, M.C. Kemp 

Abstract

We have measured the terahertz absorption spectra of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazacyclooctane (HMX), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), the plastic explosives Semtex H, SX2, and Metabel, and a number of confusion materials using terahertz pulsed transmission spectroscopy. Spectral fingerprints were obtained from 3 to 133 cm⁻¹. The spectra of the plastic explosives are dominated by the spectral signatures of their explosive components due to low frequency vibrations and crystalline phonon modes. Importantly, the terahertz spectra of the confusion materials show no resemblance to the explosives spectra. The refractive indices obtained for the plastic explosives and confusion materials allowed us to derive reflectance spectra, which appear distinct and so suggest that terahertz reflection spectroscopy is a suitable tool for the detection of concealed explosives in security applications.

The full paper can be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924203106000439


For TeraView's range of products see http://www.teraview.com/products/index.html 

THz spectroscopy of explosive-related simulants and oxidizers

T. Trzcinski, N. Palka, M. Szustakowski

Institute of Optoelectronics, Military University of Technology, 2 Kaliski St., 00-908 Warsaw, Poland

Bulletin of the Polish Academy of Sciences: Technical Sciences 59(4),445-7 ( 2011) 

DOI 10.2478/v10175-011-0056-4

Abstract

In this paper we report on measurement of spectra of commonly applied explosives, some materials which can be used for manufacture of explosive and THz simulants of explosives in transmission mode. Substances were prepared as pellets, and the measurements were performed using the Time Domain Spectroscopy system in the range 0.1-3.0 THz.

From the paper

“... For Time Domain Spectroscopy measurement, Teraview TPS 3000 unit in transmission
configuration was used...”

For TeraView's range of products see http://www.teraview.com/products/index.html 

Where to publish?

Some people have asked where should they publish their terahertz work one recent addition to the publishing world is the IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology.  Information about the journal can be found at http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=5503871 

AIMS AND SCOPE

IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology is specifically aimed at the frequency range between 300 GHz and 10 THz – "Expanding the use of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.''

The transactions covers a wide range of activities and developments in terahertz science and applications, while at the same time helping to bridge the technology gap between the RF and photonics communities. The journal targets high impact papers with broad appeal to the rapidly expanding terahertz community. Although the journal is sponsored by the Microwave Theory and Techniques Society, the scope of the transactions extends to fields and activities that are outside of the traditional RF and microwave communities.

CONTACTS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Peter H. Siegel

California Institute of Technology

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

4800 Oak Grove Drive

Pasadena, CA  91109  USA

phone: +1 (818) 354-9089

Fax: +1 (818) 393-4683

phs@caltech.edu

Managing Editor

Dylan Williams

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Boulder, CO  80305  USA

phone: +1 (303) 497 3138

Fax: +1 (303) 497 3970

dylan@boulder.nist.gov