Collaborate
A terahertz collaboration often begins before the measurement method is known. The starting point may be a layered material that cannot be opened, a surface or thickness that must be measured without contact, a component requiring electromagnetic characterisation, an image that lacks sufficient resolution, or a dataset that needs a more physically grounded reconstruction. The first task is to translate that need into a measurable question.
The research approach at IMS connects experimental design and data interpretation from the outset. Depending on the problem, an exploratory study may compare THz time-domain and FMCW approaches, evaluate reflection or transmission geometries, identify the relevant frequency range, model propagation, design a scanning or guided configuration, and define the processing needed to extract useful information. Representative samples, reference measurements and clear validation criteria are essential to determine whether terahertz methods provide a genuine advantage.
Collaboration may take the form of an initial scientific exchange, a feasibility campaign, a student or doctoral project, a jointly supervised research activity, a component or algorithm development, a demonstrator, or participation in a national or European proposal. The appropriate format depends on scientific readiness, timescale, resources, confidentiality, data ownership and publication expectations.
**Industrial partnerships** can address non-destructive inspection, material characterisation, thickness measurement, instrumentation, imaging speed, algorithm development and demonstrators. The first exchange should describe the operational constraint as clearly as the desired result.
**European and academic collaboration** can connect complementary expertise in sources, detectors, antennas, metrology, imaging, modelling, reconstruction and application validation. A strong consortium begins with a shared scientific question and explicit responsibilities across the measurement chain.
**Museums and heritage institutions** may bring questions involving paintings, layered objects, varnishes, pigments or condition assessment. Work in this area requires close dialogue with conservators and heritage scientists, careful handling constraints and cautious interpretation of contrast.
**Students and doctoral candidates** can engage with topics spanning electromagnetics, instrumentation, signal processing, computational imaging, applications and EdTech. Opportunities depend on active projects, supervision capacity and available funding.
A useful first message should explain the sample, system or scientific question; the information that cannot currently be obtained; the expected spatial, depth or temporal scale; available reference data; sample-handling restrictions; project timescale; and any confidentiality constraints. Photographs, drawings or representative datasets can be helpful when they can be shared safely.
Collaboration can start from a material, sample, inspection problem, imaging objective, component concept, signal-processing challenge, demonstrator, or educational instrument.
A first discussion does not require a complete project specification. It does benefit from a precise description of the decision or scientific question: what must be detected, measured, reconstructed, compared, or taught; at what scale; on which materials; and under which practical constraints. This makes it possible to assess whether terahertz methods are physically plausible and which complementary expertise is required.
Partnership routes
- European Collaboration
- Industrial Partnerships
- Museums & Heritage Institutions
- Students & PhD Candidates
Useful first information
A useful first message describes the problem, sample or system, expected information, available reference measurements, project timescale, and any confidentiality constraints.
For experimental work, sample dimensions, composition, thickness, surface state, water content, access geometry, and acceptable handling can strongly affect feasibility. For component or algorithm work, the relevant frequency range, bandwidth, interfaces, performance target, available data, and validation metric are equally important.
Research environment
The source dossier records national and international collaborations across universities, public research organizations, space agencies, heritage institutions, and companies. Past collaboration does not imply current participation in a new project.
Possible formats range from an exploratory measurement to a doctoral project, industrial research agreement, European consortium, shared demonstrator, or joint publication. Scope, confidentiality, data ownership, sample responsibilities, publication rules, and success criteria should be agreed early, including how inconclusive results will be reported.