Agilent Technologies Inc. today announced the opening, at the University of Leeds, of the first Agilent-equipped terahertz measurement laboratory in Europe. The new laboratory will enable research on devices, components, circuits and systems at much higher frequencies than any other institution in the region has been able to do before.
The lab is set up in memory of professor Roger Pollard, former dean of engineering at the University of Leeds and a long-time friend of Agilent, who passed away at the end of last year. The Agilent 1.1-THz PNA network analyzer is the centrepiece of the new lab.
Peter Jimack, dean of engineering at the university, and Greg Peters, general manager of Agilent’s component test division, formally opened the laboratory. Featured guest speaker professor Giles Davies delivered a keynote presentation on terahertz technology.
“Roger Pollard had a long history of collaboration with Agilent, spanning more than 30 years, and held the Agilent Technologies chair in high-frequency measurements,” said professor Peter Jimack. “We are extremely grateful to Agilent for its continued support and, in particular, for the generous sponsorship of this exceptionally well-equipped laboratory in recognition of Roger’s contribution to Agilent’s success.”
The PNA THz network analyser supports a broad range of projects in nanoelectronics, complemented by a new electron-beam lithography facility. In the new field of graphene, the network analyser will allow the university staff to perform on-wafer terahertz measurements of transistors, THz biosensors, magnetic storage elements, THz spin-switches and novel acoustoelectric devices. It will also be used to characterise THz passive components such as filters, waveguides, fibres and antennas.
“This laboratory is a fitting tribute to Roger,” said Graham Newton, district manager, UK, for Agilent’s Electronic Measurement Group, “both in terms of providing a location for cutting-edge research as well as reflecting the close relationship Roger had with us over so many years.”
“Roger’s technical brilliance contributed to many innovations in network analyzers, calibration, and measurement science that Agilent brought to the marketplace,” said Henri Komrij, business manager, Component Test Division, Agilent. “His leadership abilities motivated engineers to be more creative, collaborative and innovative. Roger absolutely loved development – of engineering and people. A high-frequency lab named for Dr. Pollard at Leeds, an esteemed university, is a truly appropriate honor for a well-regarded colleague.”
About the University of Leeds School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering
The School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering is the top electronic and electrical engineering department in the UK, as determined by the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, which rated an impressive 80 percent of its research activity as internationally excellent or world-leading. The Institute of Microwaves and Photonics has an outstanding pedigree in microwave engineering research going back 50 years and is recognized as one of the very best centers for terahertz electronics and photonics in the world. The faculty of engineering at the University of Leeds is ranked seventh in the UK for the quality of its research (2008 Research Assessment Exercise); an impressive 75 percent of the faculty’s research activity rated as internationally excellent or world-leading.
Institute of Microwaves and Photonics, University of Leeds
The Institute of Microwaves and Photonics has an outstanding international reputation with a pedigree dating back to 1963. The institute has an extensive research program in the area of microwave, millimetre-wave and terahertz devices, circuits and systems as well as in quantum electronics and bio-nanoelectronics. The institute has excellent microwave and millimetre-wave design, fabrication and measurement facilities including network analysis up to 1.1 THz, a class-100 clean room, MBE growth and a new electron-beam lithography facility.