THz Science and Technology Seminar (TSTS) Series: Unlocking Mysteries of the Universe: Role of THz Technology
Understanding our universe has been a timeless pursuit, captivating humanity for countless generations. I propose that THz science and engineering play a unique and pivotal role in deepening this understanding. In this talk, I will highlight how microwave and THz technology contribute to exploring fundamental scientific questions, such as the origin of water on Earth. Furthermore, critical measurements—such as determining wind velocities in the troposphere and detecting plumes on Europa—rely on microwave instruments, particularly those operating in the THz range. A key enabler of these discoveries is the development of compact, robust, and accessible THz instruments. Recent advancements in THz systems have paved the way for a new generation of space instruments that are significantly more capable and resilient than before, opening an unprecedented window into our universe. This makes it an exciting time to be a microwave engineer!
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- Date: 05 May 2025
- Time: 06:00 PM UTC to 07:00 PM UTC
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- Co-sponsored by Staracom
- Starts 18 April 2025 04:00 AM UTC
- Ends 05 May 2025 04:00 AM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
Imran Mehdi of Jet Propulsion Laboratory Pasadena CA, USA
Imran Mehdi (BSEE 1985, MSEE 1986 and Ph.D 1990, University of Michigan) is a Senior Research Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. He joined JPL in 1990 and is currently a Group Supervisor leading research and development in submillimeter-wave where his responsibilities include developing THz components, technologies and subsystems for current and future NASA missions. He designed and delivered components that were used on the ozone-monitoring Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument which is still operational as well as the (Microwave Instrument on Rosetta Orbiter) MIRO instrument which represents the first deep-space submillimeter-wave receiver. From 1999 he led the effort of developing broadband solid-state sources from 200 to 2500 GHz for the Heterodyne Instrument for Far Infrared (HIFI) on the Herschel Space Observatory, a cornerstone European Space Agency mission.
He is an IEEE Fellow and serves as the Chair of the Microwave Techniques and Technology Society’s Publication Committee. He is past Editor-in-Chief for the IEEE Transactions on THz Science and Technology (2019-2022). He is recipient of a number of NASA awards including the NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal for “outstanding innovation and expertise in development and implementation of the submillimeter-wave membrane-based Schottky diodes for the HIFI Spectrometer on Herschel.” His current interests include millimeter and submillimeter-wave devices and technology, nanotechnology, high-frequency instrumentation, 3D Submm-wave systems, and development of compact, low-power multi-pixel heterodyne receivers for deep-space missions
Address:United States