Course syllabus for Millimeter wave and THz technology

Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-07 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameMillimetervågs- och THz-teknik
  • CodeRRY070
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPWPS
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyElectrical Engineering, Engineering Physics
  • DepartmentSPACE, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 29136
  • Minimum participants5
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0107 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH		 7.5 c
  • 08 Jan 2024 am J
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In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Basic knowledge in electromagnetics (often included in bachelor programs in Physics, Electrical Engineering or Material Science)

Aim

This course aims to introduce students to the problems of guiding, detecting and generating electromagnetic radiation at millimeter wavelengths (MM-waves) and at Terahertz frequencies. Through the course, students will receive lectures on the subjects outlined above and will additionally perform laboratory work to acquire practical skills. A project work guided by teachers will focus students' studies on a deeper understanding of a selected problem within the course subject. The course goal is to provide students with a wide introduction to millimeter and sub-millimeter (Terahertz) technology for industrial applications, instrumentation in radio astronomy, environmental science and other applications.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Identify and explain the operation principles of millimeter-wave and Terahertz receivers and systems;
  • Select technologies suitable for particular application and frequency band, based on the recognition of the technologies' advantages and limitations.
  • Describe the working principle of the different types of detectors for millimeter-wave and Terahertz radiations.
  • Select and implement the appropriate measurement techniques for the characterization of devices and systems at millimeter-wave and Terahertz frequencies.
  • Support and motivate the practical implementation of fabrication of components and circuits for millimeter-wave and THz systems.
  • Design basic structures and system for THz radiation coupling with antenna, based on Gaussian beam technique (quasioptics).
  • Describe the working principle of the different types of millimeter-wave and Terahertz signal sources.
  • Weigh and argument the use of low-noise millimeter-wave and THz receiver technology for different applications, e.g. telecommunication, security, radio astronomy, environmental science observations.
  • Solve electromagnetic problems using modern professional software such as HFSS and ADS.

Content

The course material covers the following topics:
  • Operation principles of millimeter-wave and Terahertz receivers and systems; e.g. direct and heterodyne detection.
  • THz detectors for millimeter-wave and Terahertz radiations; e.g. semiconductor -and superconductor-based, their operation principle and specific features and application fields.
  • Measurement techniques for the characterization of devices and systems at millimeter-wave and Terahertz frequencies; e.g. noise, bandwidth, responsivity measurements.
  • Practical implementation of fabrication of components and circuits for millimeter-wave and THz systems, e.g. microfabrication, components and circuits integration.
  • Basic of Gaussian beam propagation and quasioptical design of their coupling with antenna systems.
  • Signal sources for millimeter-wave and Terahertz radiation; e.g. vacuum, solid-state or optics-based, their operation principle and specific features and application fields.
  • THz Low-noise receiver systems for different applications, e.g. telecommunication, security, radio astronomy, environmental science observations.

Organisation

The course includes about 16 lectures, laboratory exercises with hands-on experience with state-of-art RF/microwave measurement equipment together with a course project.
The course project is carried out by students individually or in pairs (list of project topics will be offered during the course).
Through the course, students are tested by written mini-tests run at the beginning of every lecture.
Guest lectures from leading companies (1-2 lectures) are planned close to the end of the course. We offer guided tour to the Chalmers Clean Room facility to the interested students.

Literature

The list of recommended literature includes journal papers and e-books, which will be provided via direct links to pdf files or links via Chalmers Library access.

Examination including compulsory elements

To successfully pass the course, the student must:
  1. Have attended at least 85% of the lectures.
  2. Successfully completed the laboratory exercises.
  3. Performed the project work.
  4. Gather at least a total of 24 points (of maximum 60) from the quiz (up to 10 examination points, e.p.), project (up to 16 e.p.) and final written examination (up to 34 e.p.).
The grade 3 is given for total collected points of 24-35, the grade 4 for total collected points of 36-47 and the grade 5 is given for more than 48 collected points.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.