CTT was created to commercialise unique technology resulting from more than five decades of pioneering work. The activity was initiated by Professor Peter Ade at Queen Mary College, London (now QMUL) and continued in the 21st century at Cardiff University.
In the 1970s Peter invented and then meticulously refined a multi-layer metal mesh solution to frequency selection which makes possible unparalleled control of band definition and very high attenuation of out-of-band radiation over a broad range of frequencies.
This became a crucial enabling technology for astronomical receivers starting with cryogenic instruments on UKIRT and JCMT in the 1970s. Our CEO, Professor Carole Tucker has worked closely with Peter and has managed filter production since the 1990s.
The group went on to contribute to SAFIR, IRAS, ISO, Herschel, and Planck. The technology is now being built into the next generation of terrestrial and space based projects such as the Simons Observatory and Prima, a candidate NASA probe class mission.
Our technology also underpins the recent proliferation of activity in the terahertz region of the electro-magnetic spectrum and will play an important role in the development of sources, receivers, short range communications, plasma diagnostics, climate monitoring and security screening.
So far more than 3,000 precision-engineered devices have been constructed, helping to shape the evolution of terahertz technology worldwide.
The design, manufacture and test phases of this technology are assembled under a commercial umbrella for the first time through Celtic Terahertz Technology Ltd. We are building a dedicated facility at our Cardiff home to generate greater production capacity along with improved performance, quality and reliability in the finished product.
Our cleanroom specialists have 125 years' experience between them and a fabulous track record for reliability, quality, consistency and schedule.
A Cardiff University physicist has been awarded the 2024 Institute of Physics (IOP) James Joule Medal and Prize.
Now entering its 50th year, the 2025 edition will take place from 17–22 August in Espoo, Finland, hosted by Aalto University.
Two of CTT’s founders are co-authors of a definitive guide to astronomical instrumentation and techniques.
