TERAOPTICS · Terahertz Photonics for Communications, Space, Security, Radio-Astronomy, and Material Science

Terahertz Photonics for Communications, Space, Security, Radio-Astronomy, and Material Science

The European Innovative Training Network (ITN) TERAOPTICS - Terahertz Photonics for Communications, Space, Security, Radio-Astronomy, and Material Science has trained a cohort of 15 early-stage researchers (ESR) in the field of THz Photonics. Terahertz (THz) radiation is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum between infrared and microwaves, meaning it is longer in wavelength than the former and higher in frequency than the latter. It is generally defined as the frequency range of 0.3 to 3 THz – or 300 to 3000 GHz. This part of the electromagnetic spectrum is not only notoriously hard to generate and detect, but also attracted a considerable interest in recent years, owing to potential applications in high-bandwidth and high-data-rate THz communications, satellite-to-satellite wireless links, THz spectroscopy for discovering star building in radio astronomy, high-resolution imaging and localization for security and in general for non-destructive material characterization and identification. These are not just high-impact scientific topics, but with the ever-increasing interconnectivity of future industry and healthcare applications, beyond 5G technology such as THz communication put this field of research at the center of enabling technologies for growth in virtually all sectors of the economy. Recent scientific breakthroughs such as photonics mediated generation of ultra-low phase noise THz signal generation (see also Nobel prize 2005 in physics for Hänsch et al.), THz Photonics is seen as a key enabling technology (KET) for a variety of applications. With the increasing desire in recent years to achieve a higher degree of technological independence, TERAOPTICS has played a crucial part in the training of future Engineers and Scientists capable to develop THz photonic technologies. To achieve this, the TERAOPTICS network had organized a structured research program and doctoral training in THz photonics. This training program was beyond the traditional academic research setting by incorporating open and inter-disciplinary research elements in an international and inter-sectorial network environment consisting of solely renowned, highly experienced and equipped academic and non-academic beneficiaries in the field of Terahertz Photonics. Overall the network consisted of 4 universities, 2 research institutes, 3 SMEs, and 2 industrial beneficiaries as well as 13 academic and non-academic partners.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union