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A new bio-molecular electronic architectural concept is presented that has potential for defining nanoscale sensor platforms with enhanced capabilities for sensing terahertz (THz) frequency bio-signatures. This architecture makes strategic use of integrated biological elements to enable communication and high-level function within densely-packed nanoelectronic systems. Specifically, a completely new paradigm for establishing hybrid Electro-THz-Optical (ETO) communication channels is introduced. Here, the THz-frequency spectral characteristics that are uniquely associated with the embedded bio-molecules are utilized directly in the architecture design and this immediately allows for defining new methods for enhanced sensing of THz bio-signatures. This integrated sensor concept greatly facilitates the collection of THz bio-signatures associated with embedded bio-molecules via interactions with the time-dependent signals propagating through the nanoelectronic circuit. In addition, it leads to a new Multi-State Spectral Sensing (MS³) approach where bio-signature information can be collected from multiple metastable state conformations. This paper presents new simulation results for a class of bio-molecular components that exhibit the prescribed type of ETO characteristics. Most noteworthy, this research derives THz spectral bio-signatures for organic molecules that are amenable to photo-induced metastable-state conformations and establishes an initial scientific foundation and design blueprint for an enhanced THz bio-signature sensing capability.

Sensing applications of THz technology include applications for space exploration, detection of concealed objects, explosive identification, and THz cancer detection. This paper will review these and other emerging applications and existing and potential THz sources and detectors, including photonic and electronic THz devices, such as plasmonic field effect transistors capable of detecting and emitting THz radiation. Plasma wave electronics devices demonstrated THz detection using GaAs-based and GaN-based HEMTs, Si MOS, SOI, and FINFETs and FET arrays. This technology has potential to become a dominant THz electronics technology.

A new bio-molecular electronic architectural concept is presented that has potential for defining nanoscale sensor platforms with enhanced capabilities for sensing terahertz (THz) frequency bio-signatures. This architecture makes strategic use of integrated biological elements to enable communication and high-level function within densely-packed nanoelectronic systems. Specifically, a completely new paradigm for establishing hybrid Electro-THz-Optical (ETO) communication channels is introduced. Here, the THz-frequency spectral characteristics that are uniquely associated with the embedded bio-molecules are utilized directly in the architecture design and this immediately allows for defining new methods for enhanced sensing of THz bio-signatures. This integrated sensor concept greatly facilitates the collection of THz bio-signatures associated with embedded bio-molecules via interactions with the time-dependent signals propagating through the nanoelectronic circuit. In addition, it leads to a new Multi-State Spectral Sensing (MS³) approach where bio-signature information can be collected from multiple metastable state conformations. This paper presents new simulation results for a class of bio-molecular components that exhibit the prescribed type of ETO characteristics. Most noteworthy, this research derives THz spectral bio-signatures for organic molecules that are amenable to photo-induced metastable-state conformations and establishes an initial scientific foundation and design blueprint for an enhanced THz bio-signature sensing capability.

Sensing applications of THz technology include applications for space exploration, detection of concealed objects, explosive identification, and THz cancer detection. This paper will review these and other emerging applications and existing and potential THz sources and detectors, including photonic and electronic THz devices, such as plasmonic field effect transistors capable of detecting and emitting THz radiation. Plasma wave electronics devices demonstrated THz detection using GaAs-based and GaN-based HEMTs, Si MOS, SOI, and FINFETs and FET arrays. This technology has potential to become a dominant THz electronics technology.