Lake Shore Cryotronics has announced that it is moving forward with implementing software features that will further enhance the usability of its prototype terahertz (THz) materials characterization platform.
The features, demonstrated during the International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz) in Mainz, Germany, incorporate THz acquisition and software control of the cryogenic and magnetic platform.
“Going into this project, one of our objectives was to develop software that was easy to use. We knew this would be key to how well the system is adopted by the materials development community – particularly everyday researchers who do not consider themselves terahertz experts,” said Scott Yano, Lake Shore Product Marketing Manager. “With this latest enhancement, we’re one step closer to accomplishing that goal and being able to offer a truly turnkey solution.”
“The software enables users to see raw scans as they are being acquired by the system. This way, they’re provided real-time visualization of the scans as well as averaged data,” Yano explained. The software processes raw scans into the normalized THz transmission spectra, from which electronic material properties can be derived.
Lake Shore is currently testing the functionality enabling researchers to automate measurements at variable cryogenic temperatures and magnetic fields. The system will be capable of stepping through temperature points automatically without user intervention.
At the IRMMW-THz conference, Lake Shore saw interest from scientists specifically interested in using the THz system for research into novel semiconductors, organic materials, and other electronic and magnetic materials with resonances in the THz regime. The prototype Lake Shore system provides for high-frequency measurements to above 1 THz, to temperatures as low as 5 K, and magnetic fields to 9 T.
By having a fully integrated hardware/software platform for THz materials characterization, researchers will no longer have to manually assemble a system in their lab and then build their own software to manage its operation. The Lake Shore system bundles the management software with continuous-wave THz spectroscopy and photomixers specifically developed for cryogenic operation.
Lake Shore intends to formally introduce the system for sale in early 2014. Several key research facilities in the US are already using alpha units of the system to gain valuable insight into molecular solids, thin films and other semiconductor devices.
For more information, visit www.lakeshore.com.
