Development of passive terahertz nanoscopy using superconducting sensors

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H01340
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 21030:Measurement engineering-related
• Research Institution: Toyohashi University of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Ariyoshi Seiichiro 豊橋技術科学大学, 次世代半導体・センサ科学研究所, 准教授 (20391849)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 莅戸 立夫 富山大学, 学術研究部工学系, 准教授 (00261149) ; 廣芝 伸哉 大阪工業大学, 工学部, 准教授 (40635190)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: テラヘルツ/赤外材料・素子 / 超伝導材料・素子 / 超精密計測 / 高分子構造・物性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Terahertz-wave is an unexplored optical region that remains between the technological progress toward shorter wavelength radio-wave resources and longer wavelength light-wave resources. In this study, we developed a near-field microscope technology in terahertz band (terahertz nanoscopy) in order to propose and establish a new analytical method in the field of basic physical properties of soft materials. Specifically, we constructed a system in which a sharp metal probe is brought close to a sample surface, and the terahertz-wave spontaneously emitted from the local area is modulated by a Fourier transform spectrometer and detected by a microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKID). Future optimization of the system is expected to improve the microspectroscopic imaging performance and develop new applications.

Free Research Field

超伝導デバイス、テラヘルツ工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、電波と光波の境界領域に位置するテラヘルツ帯で動作する近接場顕微鏡技術（テラヘルツ光ナノスコピー）の新たな可能性を示したものである。本研究成果に基づくパッシブ型の顕微分光イメージングシステムが実現すれば、様々な機能性高分子や生体試料に固有の吸収スペクトルの起源解明や構造制御、新機能発現といった新たな物性研究が可能になると期待される。