[LINK] The terahertz band and CMOS chips

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

New Research Could Mean Cellphones That Can See Through Walls

Team Finds New Possibilities in Untapped Terahertz Range With Implications
For a Host of Devices

Apr. 18, 2012 https://www.utdallas.edu

Researchers at UT Dallas have designed an imager chip that could turn 
mobile phones into devices that can see through walls, wood, plastics, 
paper and other objects.

The team’s research linked two scientific advances. One involves tapping 
into an unused range in the electromagnetic spectrum. The other is a new 
microchip technology.

The electromagnetic spectrum characterizes wavelengths of energy. For 
example, radio waves for AM and FM signals, or microwaves used for cell 
phones or the infrared wavelength that makes night vision devices 
possible.

But the terahertz band of the electromagnetic spectrum, one of the 
wavelength ranges that falls between microwave and infrared, has not been 
accessible for most consumer devices.

“We’ve created approaches that open a previously untapped portion of the 
electromagnetic spectrum for consumer use and life-saving medical 
applications,” said Dr. Kenneth O, professor of electrical engineering at 
UT Dallas and director of the Texas Analog Center of Excellence (TxACE).  

“The terahertz range is full of unlimited potential that could benefit us 
all.”

Using the new approach, images can be created with signals operating in 
the terahertz (THz) range without having to use several lenses inside a 
device. This could reduce overall size and cost.

The second advance that makes the findings applicable for consumer 
devices is the technology used to create the microchip. Chips 
manufactured using CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) 
technology form the basis of many consumer electronic devices used in 
daily life such as personal computers, smart phones, high definition TV 
and game consoles.

“CMOS is affordable and can be used to make lots of chips,” Dr. O said. 

“The combination of CMOS and terahertz means you could put this chip and 
a transmitter on the back of a cellphone, turning it into a device 
carried in your pocket that can see through objects.”  

Due to privacy concerns, Dr. O and his team are focused on uses in the 
distance range of less than four inches.

Consumer applications of such technology could range from finding studs 
in walls to authentication of important documents. Businesses could use 
it to detect counterfeit money. Manufacturing companies could apply it to 
process control.

There are also more communication channels available in terahertz than 
the range currently used for wireless communication, so information could 
be more rapidly shared at this frequency.

Terahertz can also be used for imaging to detect cancer tumors, 
diagnosing disease through breath analysis, and monitoring air toxicity. 

“There are all kinds of things you could be able to do that we just 
haven’t yet thought about,” said Dr.  O, holder of the Texas Instruments 
Distinguished Chair.

The research was presented at the most recent International Solid-State 
Circuits Conference (ISSCC). The team will work next to build an entire 
working imaging system based on the CMOS terahertz system.

The work was supported by the Center for Circuit & System Solutions (C2S2 
Center) and conducted in the TxACE laboratory at UT Dallas, which is 
funded by the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC), the state through 
its Texas Emerging Technology Fund, Texas Instruments Inc., The UT System 
and UT Dallas.

Media Contact: LaKisha Ladson, UT Dallas, (972) 883-4183, 
lnl120030 at utdallas.edu or the Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, (972) 
883-2155, newscenter at utdallas.edu.
--

Cheers,
Stephen