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A novel THz spectrophotometer by integrating a widely-tunable monochromatic THz source with a detector based on up-conversion process

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Office for Chemical and Biological Defense
Contract: FA8650-04-M-5418
Agency Tracking Number: C041-306-0001
Amount: $70,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: CBD04-306
Solicitation Number: 2004.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2004
Award Year: 2004
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2004-04-16
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2004-10-16
Small Business Information
PO Box 2
Center Valley, PA 18034
United States
DUNS: 107973302
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Yuliya Zotova
 Director for R&D
 (610) 762-0170
 yzotova@hotmail.com
Business Contact
 Yuliya Zotova
Title: President
Phone: (610) 762-0170
Email: yzotova@hotmail.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

This SBIR Phase I project focuses on the implementation of a novel THz spectrophotometer. Such a goal is built upon the recent success of the implementations of widely-tunable monochromatic THz sources and the characterizations of Bragg reflectors and bio tissues. During the Phase-I period, we propose to reduce the linewidths of a Nd:YAG laser and OPO down to 0.003 wave numbers and 0.075 wave numbers, respectively, using an etalon and increase the output peak powers. We will investigate how to antireflection-coat a GaSe crystal near 2.128 µm and test the performance of the crystal by measuring its reflectivity. We plan to design, fabricate, and test a beamsplitter to efficiently split a THz wave from the 1.064-µm beam using a THz Bragg reflector. We will also achieve an up-conversion process by mixing a THz wave with a 1.064-µm beam. We continue to carry out our Phase-I tasks by designing and testing a THz cavity formed by a pair of the Bragg reflectors and fabricated on a zinc germanium phosphide crystal. We will test a mini spectrometer for separating two optical beams with their frequencies very close to each other. Finally, we plan to design a novel THz spectrophotometer based on a widely-tunable THz source and a detector based on the up-conversion process and then to perform the preliminary testing. After completing the above objectives, we will be ready to study the performance of the THz spectrophotometer for the point and remote detections of biological agents. We plan to perform the preliminary testing during Phase I and carry out the comprehensive investigations during Phase II. During Phase I Option period, we propose to optimize our initial design of the spectrophotometer including every single component. Moreover, we plan to carry out calculations on the performance of the optimized system and come up with modifications to further improve the performance. Furthermore, we will set up experiments to carry out the tests on the modified components. Finally, we will also study issues of how to make the THz spectrophotometer compact, portable, and suitable for battlefield deployment. To achieve these goals, we plan to investigate the issues of packaging, robustness, and required operating powers for the system. The efforts described above are considered as the initial Phase II activities.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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