Course syllabus for Millimeter wave and THz technology

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

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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 15 examination points, e.p.), project (up to 15 e.p.) and final optional oral examination (up to 30 e.p.).