November 21, 2005, Bothell, WA--Lumera Corporation has signed a contract with the Pennsylvania State University Electro-Optics Center (EOC; Freeport, PA) for development of polymer-based electro-optic (EO) modulators for the detection of terahertz radiation (the modulators will cover the spectral range of 30 Ghz to 10 THz). Lumera will deliver EO materials and modulators to the EOC. The contract is valued at approximately $400,000.
Polymer materials exhibit useful properties within the terahertz region. This region is highly sensitive to water and other polar compounds that are often strongly absorptive. On the other hand, many visually opaque and most dry, nonpolar, nonmetallic items such as plastic, paper, glass, and cardboard are quite transparent to terahertz radiation. These properties create a very promising opportunity for many types of noninvasive imaging where microwave techniques do not offer sharp enough resolution and x-rays are too dangerous.
Lumera's polymeric EO materials show advantages for broadband radio-frequency signal transmission up to the terahertz region because they achieve large bandwidth with low driving voltages and processing capabilities in arrays of communication devices with low cross-talk.
About the participants
The Penn State Electro-Optics Center serves as a national resource to advance electro-optics and related technologies by partnering with government and commercial customers for the primary benefit of the U.S. warfighter. Created in 1999 under a cooperative agreement with the Office of Naval Research and managed by Penn State University, The Electro-Optics Center (EOC) promotes the development of electro-optic materials, components, and systems needed to advance the state-of-the-art in electro-optic science and technology for our defense forces. EOC-sponsored programs include research and development, manufacturing process development and improvement, and the active transfer of new and/or improved technology to its commercial partners. The EOC focuses on EO materials, design, and process technology; sensor technology; reliability and failure analysis; laser technology; fiberoptics and optoelectronics; education and outreach; and management services.
Lumera designs molecular structures and polymer compounds for a broad range of EO, bioscience, radio-frequency, and specialty nanotechnology applications, and has developed processes for fabricating such devices.