Course syllabus

Course-PM

Important note: because of COVID-19 and Chalmers University recommendations, the course will be given in remote mode via Zoom. Zoom meeting info will be communicated to students via e-mail.

RRY070 Millimeter wave and THz technology lp2 HT20 (7.5 hp)

Course is offered by the department of Space, Earth and Environment

The complete course-PM as a PDF file can be found here.

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen: Study plan

Course purpose

This course aims to introduce students to the problems of guiding, detecting and generating electromagnetic radiation at millimeter wavelengths (MM-waves) and at Terahertz frequencies. Through the course, students will receive lectures on the subjects outlined above and will additionally perform laboratory work to acquire practical skills. A project work guided by teachers will focus students' studies on a deeper understanding of a selected problem within the course subject. The course goal is to provide students with a wide introduction to millimeter and sub-millimeter (Terahertz) technology for industrial applications, instrumentation in radio astronomy, environmental science and other applications.

Learning objectives

• Identify and explain the operation principles of millimeter-wave and Terahertz receivers and systems;
• Select technologies suitable for particular application and frequency band, based on the recognition of the technologies¿ advantages and limitations.
• Describe the working principle of the different types of detectors for millimeter-wave and Terahertz radiations.
• Select and implement the appropriate measurement techniques for the characterization of devices and systems at millimeter-wave and Terahertz frequencies.
• Support and motivate the practical implementation of fabrication of components and circuits for millimeter-wave and THz systems.
• Design basic structures and system for THz radiation coupling with antenna, based on Gaussian beam technique (quasioptics).
• Describe the working principle of the different types of millimeter-wave and Terahertz signal sources.
• Weigh and argument the use of low-noise millimeter-wave and THz receiver technology for different applications, e.g. telecommunication, security, radio astronomy, environmental science observations.
• Solve electromagnetic problems using modern professional software such as HFSS and ADS.

Contact details

Course design

Course content

The course largely relies on and uses the pre-required knowledge of microwave techniques, theory of transmission lines, and general understanding of physics. The course material covers the following topics:

• Noise and receiver properties at mm and submm frequencies, cryogenically operated receivers;
• Antenna - receiver coupling: Gaussian beam technique, Terahertz waveguides;
• Receiver types, e.g. direct detection (bolometric) and heterodyne, quasi-optical and waveguide-based; basics of operation for different type of receivers, schemes and applications
• Bolometric receivers: theory, practical designs, examples;
• Heterodyne SIS receivers: theory, design, examples. Superconducting tuning circuitries;
• HEB heterodyne receivers: theory, design, examples.
• Terahertz MMICs: theory, design, examples.
• Generation of mm and submm waves: sources for local oscillators.
• HEMT cryogenic amplifiers: theory, design, examples.
• Superconductivity and thin-film processing for cryogenic and superconducting components: review of methods and technology.

Course organisation

The course includes about 16 lectures, laboratory work (measuring the noise temperature of a cryogenic HEMT amplifier using Y-factor method), a course project (list of project topics will be offered to allow deeper studies on selected course material, e.g., design a quasi-optic coupling scheme with specified properties, propose and choose technology for environmental experiment with limb-sounder, etc.). All course events are compulsory and require student attendance.

Course literature

There is no dedicated course book. The recommended literature covers a wide course material, including journal papers and books and will be provided via direct links to pdf files or links via Chalmers Library access.

All necessary material such as Lab-manuals, lectures notes will be available on the course homepage .

Examination form:

To successfully pass the course, the student must:

1. Have attended at least 85% of the lectures.
2. Successfully completed the laboratory exercises.
3. Performed the project work.
4. Gather at least a total of 24 points (of maximum 60) from the quiz, project and final written examination.

Course Schedule