HES-SO Lab

HESSO is investigating the miniaturization of the THz components, which is required for future space missions.

THz Simulations

Simulations of THz pulses in the optical setup are performed HES-SO.

Simulation conducted of the THz pulse.

Bench Setup

The bench setup is based on a spectrometer from TOPTICA, the Teraflash pro. Our goal is to reduce the size of this device and it’s weight. The miniaturization of the delay line is essential for this process.

The mirror arrangement of the THz beam-path needs to be aligned. The picture shows the alignment process (red spot on the sample).

Focusing laser centered on sample.
Focusing laser centered on sample.

Such an alignment procedure is not possible in space. We need to develop a robust system that can be pre-aligned on the ground.

The sample is placed on an XYZ-stage to scan it in three dimensions.

XYZ stage
XYZ stage to scan the sample.

Miniaturization

The antennas used for the spectroscopy are required to have a minimal footprint. The goal is to place them inside a drill.To achieve this, the application of THz lenses and different mirrors are investigated.

THz lenses
THz lenses for an in-line application.

LIBS

The Laser Induced Spectroscopy (LIBS) is a mean to detect the nature of the matter that is analysed. A strong laser pulse is used to generate plasma. The light emited by the atoms at this instant is analysed by a spectrometer. 

The specific project goal is to perform spectroscopy in a small space. One of the challenge is to send the laser pulse through a fiber and focus the beam onto the sample.

LIBS laser optics
Setup of the fiber at the output. The laser is focused on a target with a collimator and a lense.