Special Interest Groups
SIG 2: Solid State and Quantum Materials, Devices and Systems, SIG 3: Healthcare, SIG 4: Chemical and Biological Systems, SIG 6: Non-Destructive Testing, Security and Process Monitoring
Equipment
Leeds has a range of THz-TDS and FTIR instruments covering from 100 GHz to > 20 THz along with Non-linear the 2D-THz instrumentation. This is underpinned by extensive MBE, cleanroom fabrication and HPC facilities. https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/electronic-engineering-pollard-institute/doc/terahertz-electronics-photonics/page/2
Scientific focus and expertise
My work focuses on the combination of THz spectral measurements and density functional theory calculations to understand the THz spectral response of a range of materials. Our software package, PDielec can be found at https://github.com/JohnKendrick/PDielec and allows the post processing of DFT and experimental data to explore the influence of particle shape and size, porosity, scattering and crystal orientation of the THz spectra of materials.
Research challenge(s)
Understanding the THz spectra of crystalline and amorphous materials Understanding the role of low-frequency vibrational motion on reaction dynamics Using THz pumping to control chemical reactions Developments of Non-Linear Spectroscopic techniques Developing methods for the robust calculation of THz spectra
Industry challenge(s)
Applying THz spectral measurements to understand material properties and explore its use in non-destructive product testing.
Application(s)
Chemical technologies Pharmaceutical Science Explosive and Drug detection Calculation of THz spectra
Market sector(s)
Chemical and Pharamaceutial Security Sensing Non-Destructive Testing