Research Projects

Terahertz imaging is a rapidly growing field with applications in diverse areas, including quality control in industries, medical imaging, non-destructive testing, and security screening. The primary challenge in THz imaging is achieving imaging contrast and enhance spatial resolution. To overcome this challenge, we propose to introduce terahertz Metasurface Absorbers (MSAs) with near-perfect absorption across a wide frequency range. The perfect absorption allows more detailed image capture, and ultra-broadband absorption improves the reliability of THz imaging—making it ideal for applications requiring high-resolution imaging, such as medical diagnostics and quality control. This project proposal outlines the research and development efforts needed to design and implement Terahertz Metamaterial-based Broadband Absorbers keeping the following objectives in mind: 1. Cost-Effective and Scalable Technology: Traditional THz detectors are costly and complex. A highly efficient MSA may improve the performance of existing THz detectors, potentially reducing the required power levels and making THz imaging systems more accessible and affordable. 2. Deeper insight into the physical mechanism: This work will advance understanding of light-matter interactions in the THz frequency regime, particularly in how engineered materials can manipulate electromagnetic waves. Insights from this research could inform future developments in field of THz sensing and imaging. 3. Expanding the horizon for THz Imaging Applications: The proposed MSA could enable THz imaging in environments and applications previously unattainable due to narrowband operational and low absorption efficiency. The critical applications include deep tissue imaging, chemical detection, identifying defects in materials, detecting concealed objects, and inspecting packaging without the need for harmful radiation. It could benefit industries such as aerospace, manufacturing, and security. The plan is to investigate the capabilities of different types of metamaterials for creating advanced metamaterial absorbers operating at THz frequencies (0.1 to 10 THz). The integration of metamaterials and terahertz technology in the absorber aims to significantly enhance the resolution of thermal imaging. The project will be carried out in three main steps. The first step involves exploring and designing suitable metamaterials to develop THz absorbers tailored and packaged according to specific thermal imaging application. We aim to obtain optimized parameters for the absorbers through rigorous theoretical modelling and numerical simulations using full-wave multi-physics software. In the next stage, prototype devices will be fabricated in a clean room environment using typical photolithography or e-beam lithography. Finally, we will assess the devices for their desired optical responses.