Image via WikipediaRapid Analysis in Compact Lab-on-Chip Applications (ULTRA)
ULTRA is a highly interdisciplinary project where microelectronics, chemistry, biology and advanced micro-packaging techniques are exploited to build two integrated, low cost terahertz (THz) spectrometers. Six partners from four different countries are involved in the construction of two demonstrators with planned applications, once transformed into real products, in the medical, biological
and chemical analysis domain. The three years, FP7 funded project started in June 2008.
In medicine and biology a fast, accurate analysis of samples with a compact, portable and low cost instrument is of the utmost importance. Although some instruments making use of different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum are nowadays available, not all regions of the spectrum are currently used and new, unexplored regions could offer the possibility of greatly enhancing analytic capabilities beyond what is possible today. The terahertz (THz) frequency range is defined as the band of the electromagnetic spectrum extending from roughly 0.1 THz to 3 THz, i.e. between the microwave and the infrared range. This frequency range, for long time underexplored, is now generating a steadily increasing interest. This has been enhanced by the demonstrated high potential of THz waves for cancerous tissue detection and for label-free bio-molecular sensing.
The Objective of the ULTRA project is to develop two new instruments with application in medical, biological and chemical analysis. Both instruments will be low cost, reliable, with low power consumption and very compact form factor (“lab-on-chip”). They will be suitable for applications not currently covered by other instruments and will be based on the use of terahertz radiation. One instrument will in addition exploit plasmonics to achieve enhanced sensitivity for biochemical detection in the THz frequency range. The innovative part of the work resides in the objective to combine three emerging fields: THz integrated circuit technology, plasmonics, and microsystem integration.
To build a compact THz instrument, ULTRA makes use of nonlinear transmission lines (NLTLs) as essential components to generate THz electrical signals to be used in the transmitter and the receiver part of the system. One of the main targets was to apply standard CMOS technology for the implementation of NLTLs, sampling bridge, etc. to target low-cost fabrication of the devices in case of mass production.
The main challenge of the ULTRA project actually was the choice of technology for the electrical THz generation and detection as well as for the plasmonic parts. The NLTL are preferentially realized in a CMOS process, with a bandwidth of few hundreds of GHz. Desire to extend the bandwidth exploring new concepts based on CMOS or other technologies will certainly require additional financial resources
on partner side. The enhanced sensitivity by plasmonic structures depends on the material characteristics of the used semiconductor, in particular the mobility of the material. InSb was in this respect one of the best materials. However, the processing of such material is not straightforward and methods to obtain
the best possible field enhancements with cheaper technologies such as Si were developed. The challenge here will be to further develop methods with respect to low cost applications. As for the applications, further studies of the uniqueness of THz radiation compared to other ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum are to be done to find out how to further exploit the business potential of THz.
The work leading to these results has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Program, grant agreement no. FP7-224189. NLTLs measurements: teams of Prof. P. Haring Bolívar and Prof. A.Rydberg, plasmonic structures: designed in the team of Dr. J. Gómez Rivas, assembly of the THz module: realized by R. Götzen and his team in microTEC. NLTLs and related IC components have been designed in the team of Dr. L.Tripodi, Philips
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