Course syllabus

Course-PM

RRY070 Millimeter wave and THz technology lp2 HT19 (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

Schedule

TimeEdit

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 under the “files” section.

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

Changes made since the last occasion

Based on last year's course evauation, no changes were required.