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Objectives of TeraNova

TeraNova will enhance the present state of terahertz technology and solve practical problems through developments in four main scientific themes.

The project will strengthen the European Research Area, ensure wealth-creation via comprehensive Exploitation and Dissemination, and engage in Training programmes to stimulate new developments and train the future workforce. TeraNova will integrate European capabilities, taking concepts through to Community End Users from industry, healthcare, security agencies and academia.

Research and development will involve large-scale Industry, SMEs and Academics, reinforcing European strengths where it has established industrial and technology leadership. TeraNova will be organised thematically, will be governed democratically, and will have an eminent industrialist as Chair providing focussed end-user pull.

Themes

Theme A — Underpinning technologies

The development of functional components for subsequent evaluation and use in selected systems applications.

Theme B — Applications Phase #1

Basic Science, Technology & Proof-of-principle demonstrators. This will include the development of an integrated biomolecular sensing array; a THz near-field microscope for bioscience; a THz semiconductor wafer and device scanner; and basic studies of spectroscopy, scattering and the transmission of radiation through inhomogeneous materials.

Theme C — Applications Phase #2

Theme C deploys some of the technology that has been used in Theme A, together with input from basic science activity and first-stage Demonstrators that are pursued in Theme B. After rigorous selection, two projects have been chosen: (a) semiconductor wafer and device scanner; and (b), a system for the assay of biological material using terahertz methods, with applications in single cell imaging and the assay of liquids.

Theme D — Scientific Coordination, Review, Exploitation, Dissemination and Training

In this important Theme, the routes towards exploitation will be explored, training will be provided, conferences and other technical meetings will be organized and the results of the work will be disseminated. This Theme will provide the basis of scientific coordination for the programme.

Workpackages

Each of the themes (above) is subsequently divided into Workpackages

Theme A

Theme A is divided into four Workpackages:

1. WP#A1 Pulsed systems
2. WP#A2 Quantum cascade lasers
3. WP#A3 Laser mixing systems
4. WP#A4 Other Components: Detectors, Amplifiers and Modulators

Theme B

Theme B is divided into four Workpackages:

1. WP#B1 Integrated biomolecular sensing array
2. WP#B2 THz near-field microscope for bioscience
3. WP#B3 THz semiconductor wafer and device scanner
4. WP#B4 THz Sensing, Imaging and Spectroscopy

Theme C

Theme C will deploy the technology developed in Theme A, together with the basic science and first-stage Demonstrators in Theme B, to deliver field demonstrator systems. After rigorous selection, two projects have been chosen: (a) a semiconductor wafer scanner; and (b) a system for determining, in a non-contact fashion, the sex of semen for artificial insemination in the livestock and bloodstock industries.

Theme D

Theme D is divided into four Workpackages:

1. WP#D1 Exploitation and Technology Awareness
2. WP#D2 Dissemination
3. WP#D3 Training
4. WP#D4 Scientific Coordination