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TENOR aims to tackle a current lack of research into nonreciprocal phenomena at MIR and THz frequencies. For this it proposes foremost to prove the possibility of transposing towards this spectral range a recently demonstrated disruptive approach at visible and near infrared frequencies to generate very compact nonreciprocity, namely a plasmonic-enhanced magneto-optic one-way reflecting surface. The key target of TENOR is to realize by the end of the project an isolating device both for MIR and THz frequencies that delivers at least 20dB isolation over a sufficiently broadband (f > 0.1f0) range while keeping high forward transmissivity (< 1-2 dB insertion loss). TENOR will demonstrate as compact as possible devices, where possible in an integrated guided version. This imposes designs requiring a minimal external magnetic field (Bext = 0.1T) TENOR's motivation lies in the recent ICT and photonics research trend towards the exploitation of longer wavelengths. Both the mid- and long-wave infrared (10–150THz) and the terahertz spectral range (0.3–10 THz) contain the absorption lines of many chemical and molecular species. Moreover several low absorption atmospheric windows open up in both frequency ranges. One can therefore envision a wealth of important applications that are inaccessible at the “traditional” NIR telecom and ICT wavelengths. Precise chemical spectroscopy, non-ionizing imaging, environmental monitoring for hazardous substances using lidar, and ultrahigh bitrate THz free-space datacom are just a few of the diverse thematics that have emerged. A key enabling element has been the huge progress achieved in the performance of quantum cascade lasers (QCL). QCL's have revolutionized MIR and THz research with quasi off-the-shelf availability of reliable coherent sources of almost any chosen frequency between 1 – 100THz. In spite of all of the above there is presently not a single viable solution reported for two-port isolation or three-port circulation. The increasing system complexity of the reported applications makes their availability more and more urgent. For instance, precise spectroscopy using a tunable QCL becomes impossible under the slightest unintentional feedback into the source. At present the only way to protect a QCL from destabilizing feedback is by placing an absorber at its exit and thereby penalizing simultaneously its output power! TENOR aims thus at developing a competitive component with a presently unavailable but essential functionality for MIR and THz applications at almost all levels of society and everyday life. It will therefore potentially present a huge societal impact. To achieve this TENOR will follow a clear-cut methodology as it relies on a proven NIR concept and has two reliable proposals to realize the MIR and THz analogy of the demonstrated one-way MO plasmonic mirror. - small-gap, high mobility semiconductors (InAs) achieve simultaneously plasma frequencies and cyclotron frequencies in the MIR - hexaferrites can have ferromagnetic resonances at mm-wave frequencies, and therefore strong gyromagnetic properties well into the THz. Properly structuring a noble metal allows artificial spoof plasma frequencies in the THz range. Finally, as field-less time reversal breaking of Maxwell's equations receives currently great interest in high impact research journals, TENOR proposes also an exploratory entirely novel approach to generate THz/MIR isolation without the need for a magnetic field. TENOR builds upon the research expertise of its coordinator, who has specialized in the design, modeling and demonstration of optical nonreciprocal devices. His present institute hosts research groups that have established cutting edge expertise in resp. MIR and THz technology and epitaxy of high mobility III-V semiconductors. He will also rely on his longstanding partnership with the Physics group at the University of Ostrava (Czech Republic) who have great expertise in MO material characterization.
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