Terahertz Carrier Research Articles

Performance analysis of a hybrid FSO/mmWave/THz system for short-range communication under rain and fog conditions

For fronthaul cellular networks, the suitability of a hybrid free space optical (FSO)/radio frequency (RF) high data rate communication systems such as millimeter wave (mmWave) and terahertz (THz) with reliable connectivity under weather conditions (rain and fog) is proposed and analyzed. The aim of this hybrid system is to suit short-range communication covering 5G/6G and beyond cellular networks. The 4 pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) scheme parallel transmission and adaptive receiver approach is considered for the work. The theoretical work on estimating the attenuation characteristics under various weather conditions is carried out followed by the simulation of a hybrid communication system for obtaining the received power at different link lengths. Based on the received power for a data rate of 1 Gbps signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and bit error rate (BER) is calculated for a link length of 0.2 km, 0.5 km, and 1 km for 4 PAM. For varying fog conditions, mmWave/THz carrier is found to be suitable with a BER of 10−10 at a link length of 0.5 km. For varying rain rates, FSO performs well with a BER of 10−8. The link length and performance can be improved with increased transmit power in both communication systems. The THz carrier offers a high data rate, and a hybrid system is proposed with FSO/THz to have reliable connectivity in harsh weather scenarios.

Terahertz Optical Properties and Carrier Behaviors of Graphene Oxide Quantum Dot and Reduced Graphene Oxide Quantum Dot via Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with a band gap have been widely applied in many fields owing to their unique optical properties. To better utilize the optical advantages of GQDs, it is important to understand their optical characteristics. Our study demonstrates the optical properties and carrier behaviors of synthesized graphene oxide quantum dot (GOQD) and reduced graphene oxide quantum dot (rGOQD) pellets via Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). The complex permittivity and optical conductivity are obtained in the terahertz region, indicating that the optical conductivity of the GOQD is higher than that of the rGOQD. Although rGOQD has a higher carrier density, approximately 1.5-times than that of GOQD, the lower charge carrier mobility of the rGOQD, which is obtained using Drude–Lorentz oscillator model fitting contributes to a decrease in optical conductivity. This lower mobility can be attributed to the more significant number of defect states within the rGOQD compared to GOQD. To the best of our knowledge, our study initially demonstrates the optical property and carrier behaviors of GOQD and rGOQD in the THz region. Moreover, this study provides important information on factors influencing carrier behavior to various fields in which carrier behavior plays an important role.

Physically Encrypted Wireless Transmission Based on XOR between Two Data in Terahertz Beams

Future wireless communications require higher security as well as a higher data rate. We have been studying physically secured wireless transmission systems and previously proposed encryption/decryption techniques based on the AND operation caused by coherent detection between two encrypted data sequences on two different terahertz carriers. Furthermore, we suggested that by employing the XOR operation as the decryption, the proposed system can be made more secure because XOR increases the computational complexity for eavesdroppers to recover the plaintext. In this paper, we propose the XOR operation between two data sequences on FSK-modulated terahertz waves. By constructing the XOR encryption transmitters/receivers, which consisted of high-speed wavelength tunable lasers and arrayed uni-traveling-carrier photodiodes (UTC-PDs), we successfully demonstrated the XOR operation between two data sequences on 200 GHz waves from the two transmitters.

THz Systems Exploiting Photonics and Communications Technologies

Terahertz (THz) systems open up the possibility of new applications of electromagnetic waves. Enormous bandwidths up to several terahertz enable the development of powerful spectroscopy systems that can provide insights into the structure and material of objects with micrometer resolution. New high power and compact THz time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) systems will be presented. The wide bandwidth also enables high-resolution imaging under far-field conditions to analyze arbitrary objects from a distance. In addition, a near-field system-on-a-chip imaging system is presented that achieves a resolution of 10 μm. Additionally, the application of terahertz waves presents challenges due to the low transmit power of the sources, high attenuation in free space, and the high noise figures of the receivers. These challenges can be overcome by antennas with high gain. Since - depending on the application - spatial scanning or focusing in a time-varying direction is required, beam steering is an essential component of many THz systems. In terms of communications, terahertz carrier frequencies offer wide bandwidths, enabling correspondingly high data rates of 100 Gbit/s and more. As a result, the frequency bands between 250 GHz and 450 GHz have already been identified and/or allocated for communication services and are being discussed as a component of 6G mobile communications. Concepts and demonstrations for 6G terahertz mobile communications will be presented. The high bandwidth of terahertz waves can also be used for high-accuracy indoor localization.

Rain-Based Attenuation and Dispersion Characteristics of Terahertz Wave in Tropical Climate: Experimentally Verified Reliability Study

In the frontier of next generation communication system, the terahertz spectrum can be treated un-parallel as far as the implementation of wireless link with high data-rate is concerned. Atmospheric condition can affect the electromagnetic/radio signal transmission severely. Since, the presence of seasonal hydrometeors in atmosphere may lead to drastic degradation in the free-space propagation of terahertz signal, therefore thorough and comprehensive investigation is essentially required to optimize the future channel-model for terahertz carrier frequency. The atmospheric attenuation causes power loss and in turn receiver signal amplitude gets attenuated. Rain attenuation has pronounced impact on terahertz signal propagation and attenuation of transmitted wave. In tropical weather scenario, the drop-dimension of seasonal rainfall exceeds the maximum dimension of temperate rain. Through an indigenously developed and experimentally verified Non-Linear Terahertz Rain Attenuation Model simulator, the authors have thoroughly investigated the rain-attenuation characteristics of terahertz signal in tropical climate condition for different hydrometeor properties including rain-rates and drop-size distribution. The effect of tropical thunderstorm has been uniquely incorporated by the authors in the present study along with atmospheric humidity and temperature based fluctuations. The reliability issues that are related with THz communication in tropical rain-fall have also been comprehensively analysed. Besides, a best-fit analysis has also been covered under different drop-size distribution statistics. It has been found that, in Indian Scenario (as a part of tropical climate), the peak attenuation level of THz spectrum under tropical rain-fall can be found in the range of (7THz-9THz). With increase of rain-rate from 2mm/hr to 200mm/hr, the peak attenuation level rises from ~100dB/km to ~1000dB/km. The basic model has been validated through experimental data where close proximity(with ± 10% variation from the mean data) has been observed. The present study on terahertz signal attenuation profile in tropical rainy weather will help the communication engineers to open the new door for the ultra-high speed world of 6G terahertz communication.

Experimental demonstration of uncompressed 4K video transmission over directly modulated distributed feedback laser‐based terahertz wireless link

AbstractWe demonstrate the transmission of uncompressed 4K videos over the photonics‐based terahertz (THz) wireless link using a directly modulated distributed feedback laser diode (DFB‐LD). For optical heterodyne mixing and data modulation, a DFB‐LD was employed and directly modulated with a 5.94‐Gb/s non‐return‐to‐zero signal, which is related to a 6G‐serial digital interface standard to support ultra‐high‐definition video resolution. We derived the optimal frequency of the THz carrier by varying the wavelength difference between DFB‐LD output and Tunable LD output in the THz signal transmitter to obtain the best transmission performances of the uncompressed 4K video signals. Furthermore, we exploited the negative laser‐to‐filter detuning for the adiabatic chirp management of the DFB‐LD by the intentional discrepancy between the center wavelength of the optical band‐pass filter and the output wavelength of the DFB‐LD. With the help of the abovementioned methods, we successfully transmitted uncompressed 4K video signals over the 2.3‐m wireless transmission distance without black frames induced by time synchronization error.

Anomalous low-energy carrier dynamics of stripe-type charge ordered Pr0.5Sr0.5MnO3 thin film revealed by magneto-terahertz spectroscopy

The perovskite manganites host a range of charge- and orbital-ordered phases wherein the intrinsic and extrinsic controls of magnetic field, doping, epitaxial strain, chemical pressure, etc., induce subtleties of phase transition. The Pr0.5Sr0.5MnO3 (PSMO) is one such system that possesses a unique stripe-type charge-order manifesting in anisotropic transport. It exhibits a Drude-type and charge-density-wave (CDW) type of low-energy phases; the magnetic field is contemplated as a key control for both these phases; however, it has not yet been explored. Here, we have investigated the magnetic-field dependence of Drude-type terahertz (THz) carriers dynamics and the CDW type of low-energy excitations along two non-identical orthogonal in-plane axes of the (110) epitaxial thin film in the energy range of 1–7 meV using magneto-THz time-domain spectroscopy in Faraday geometry. While THz Drude conductivity expectedly increases with the increasing magnetic field, the CDW type of resonance absorption peak anomalously strengthens with the field. The origin of this unusual field-induced stabilization of the CDW-type mode is expected to lie in the d(x2–y2) orbital ordering in the A-type antiferromagnetic ordered state and anisotropic charge ordering. This study brings out a unique facet of the effect of magnetic field on orbital ordering of anisotropic stripe-type charge-ordered PSMO, which has potential THz modulation and switching applications.

Photonics based frequency hopping spread spectrum system for secure terahertz communications.

Terahertz (THz) spectrum (100 GHz-10 THz) is considered the next frontier in the design of high-speed wireless communication systems. While the high-power THz sources have commercially become available, it increases the possibility of developing THz jammers to disrupt the THz communication link. Therefore, the development of novel anti-jamming solutions is the need of the hour. In this work, we present the photonics-based THz communication system and demonstrate the frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technique which acts against the single/multi-tone jamming attack in the frequency window of 110 GHz-170 GHz. By tuning the output wavelength of the distributed feedback lasers, the THz carrier frequencies are swept back and forth within the scanning window. The frequency tuning range was measured for different scanning rates of the laser which decreases rapidly with the increase in the scanning rate. Next, we demonstrate the THz FHSS technique in a real-time communication system by transmitting a 6 Gbps NRZ signal in both wireless and THz-fiber-based links within the link distance of 1.75 m. We experimentally found that the measured bit error rate in the THz FHSS system is the time average of the measured BER for individual carrier frequencies within the hopping frequency window. By combining with the forward error correction codes and by using the tunable filter in the receiver, we believe that the proposed technique will offer a novel and compact solution against the single/multi-tone jammer for high-bit rate THz communications.

Integrated dual-laser photonic chip for high-purity carrier generation enabling ultrafast terahertz wireless communications

Photonic generation of Terahertz (THz) carriers displays high potential for THz communications with a large tunable range and high modulation bandwidth. While many photonics-based THz generations have recently been demonstrated with discrete bulky components, their practical applications are significantly hindered by the large footprint and high energy consumption. Herein, we present an injection-locked heterodyne source based on generic foundry-fabricated photonic integrated circuits (PIC) attached to a uni-traveling carrier photodiode generating high-purity THz carriers. The generated THz carrier is tunable within the range of 0–1.4 THz, determined by the wavelength spacing between the two monolithically integrated distributed feedback (DFB) lasers. This scheme generates and transmits a 131 Gbits−1 net rate signal over a 10.7-m distance with −24 dBm emitted power at 0.4 THz. This monolithic dual-DFB PIC-based THz generation approach is a significant step towards fully integrated, cost-effective, and energy-efficient THz transmitters.

THz Bistatic Backscatter Side-Channel Sensing at a Distance

This article presents the sensing and detection of backscattered terahertz (THz) side channels unintentionally created by field-programmable gate array (FPGA) activity using a bistatic arrangement. At first, a single frequency is modulated onto a THz carrier due to the switching activity inside the FPGA and this modulated frequency is received at a distance. The effects of polarization and the receiver distance on the backscattered signal are studied and it is found that deliberately introducing a polarization mismatch between the transmitter and the receiver can improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by more than 10 dB. This allows the signal to be received at distances greater than 45 cm with SNR above 54 dB, making detection feasible at several meters away. Through the use of a near-field focuser, the properties of the side-channel signal are measured over the surface of the FPGA board with a resolution of 0.5 mm. Next, a backscatter signal at four distinct frequencies is created and detected through splitting the FPGA into four distinct modules. The relative strength of the frequencies is compared, and conclusions about the physical location and the strength of these signals originating from distinct modules are analyzed. It is found that focusing the backscatter system on certain locations on the FPGA can preferentially receive the signal from one module while filtering out the other modules. This helps isolating the signals created by various modules in an FPGA and significantly improving the effectiveness of side-channel detection techniques.

Discrete Fourier Transform Radar in the Terahertz-Wave Range Based on a Resonant-Tunneling-Diode Oscillator.

We used a resonant-tunneling-diode (RTD) oscillator as the source of a terahertz-wave radar based on the principle of the swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Unlike similar reports in the terahertz range, we apply the stepwise frequency modulation to a subcarrier obtained by amplitude modulation instead of tuning the terahertz carrier frequency. Additionally, we replace the usual optical interference with electrical mixing and, by using a quadrature mixer, we can discriminate between negative and positive optical path differences, which doubles the measurement range without increasing the measurement time. To measure the distance to multiple targets simultaneously, the terahertz wave is modulated in amplitude at a series of frequencies; the signal returning from the target is detected and homodyne mixed with the original modulation signal. A series of voltages is obtained; by Fourier transformation the distance to each target is retrieved. Experimental results on one and two targets are shown.

Photonic Terahertz Carrier Generation Using an Optical Feedback Mode-Lock Laser Diode

A tunable narrow-linewidth photonic terahertz (THz) carrier generation scheme using a distributed-Bragg-reflector-based mode-locked laser diode (MLLD) with optical feedback and mode filtering technique is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Photonic terahertz carrier covering the D-band (110–170 GHz), and H-band (220–325 GHz) was obtained. With the assistance of the feedback loop, the optical linewidth of the MLLD was reduced from MHz to kHz level, and the heterodyning photonics carrier linewidth was reduced from 121.7 kHz to 2.1 kHz, satisfying the linewidth tolerance in the THz communication system with high-order modulation formats.

Extending Spatial and Temporal Characterization of Indoor Wireless Channels From 350 to 650 GHz

Communication at terahertz carrier frequencies is a promising way to satisfy the ever-growing demands for high-speed wireless networks. The studies of terahertz wireless channels have so far been limited to the atmospheric transmission bands below 350 GHz. Availability of high-power transmitters and high-sensitivity receivers at higher frequencies necessitates extending the wireless channel studies to enable higher data-rate communication systems. With a view to assessing communication system design requirements at higher frequencies, we present the channel measurement results for 650-GHz carrier frequencies in comparison with 350 GHz carrier frequencies in a typical indoor environment. To obtain the spatial and temporal characteristics of the channel, the power angle profile and the power delay profile are measured based on new measurement methods. Multiple spatially resolvable paths are observed at both 350- and 650-GHz carrier frequencies. Signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal through the non-line-of-sight (NLoS) paths is sufficiently high to enable robust communication when the direct line-of-sight (LoS) path is blocked due to a moving object. The measurement results are used to calculate the reduction in the 650-GHz channel capacity in comparison with that of the 350-GHz channel for both LoS and NLoS paths. Channel dispersion characterization over a 10-GHz bandwidth shows that the delay spreads for the resolved LoS and NLoS paths are less than 80 ps for both 350- and 650-GHz bands. Therefore, no complicated equalizer is required to compensate for channel dispersion at both 350 and 650-GHz, which greatly simplifies the terahertz transceiver design.

Decrease in Terahertz Conductivity of Graphene Under Electron Beam Irradiations

Electron beam (e-beam) irradiations are often involved for characterizing graphene-based terahertz (THz) devices or realizing graphene surface plasmons. Here, based on THz time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) and two-dimensional scanning system, the time dependence and the in situ mapping images of changed THz conductivity of graphene induced by e-beam irradiations are studied. The change in THz signals with irradiation indicates a decrease in the THz conductivity as a result of electron doping in graphene through irradiation. And the spatial imaging maps of the decreased THz conductivity reveal diverse electron doping speeds in graphene during different current e-beam irradiations. Additionally, different theoretical doping models are given for explanations of the imaging maps and the calculated results by doping models are in good accordance with the experimental results. Our findings are of significance for understanding the change in THz conductivity and carrier transport of graphene under e-beam irradiations.

Microring resonator-based photonic system for terahertz signal generation

We propose a photonic system based on add–drop microring resonator and mode-locked laser for terahertz (THz) signal generation. A mode-locked laser acts as an input source to the microring resonator. The transfer characteristics of the microring resonator generate Lorentzian shaped pulses at the output ports of the microring resonator. These series of pulses obtained are then investigated in two approaches; in the first approach, the output of the microring resonator is given to a photodetector which generates 33 THz pulses separated by a spacing of 1 THz with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 0.15 THz. In the second approach, the output of the microring resonator is given to an optical filter to extract a particular frequency component. In this case, a single THz carrier with a FWHM of 0.2618 THz is obtained. The THz frequency components generated by the proposed photonic system can act as carriers for communication between the indoor user and the base station of a pico/femto cell in a 5G environment.

Wireless Data Transmission at Terahertz Carrier Waves Generated from a Hybrid InP-Polymer Dual Tunable DBR Laser Photonic Integrated Circuit

We report for the first time the successful wavelength stabilization of two hybrid integrated InP/Polymer DBR lasers through optical injection. The two InP/Polymer DBR lasers are integrated into a photonic integrated circuit, providing an ideal source for millimeter and Terahertz wave generation by optical heterodyne technique. These lasers offer the widest tuning range of the carrier wave demonstrated to date up into the Terahertz range, about 20 nm (2.5 THz) on a single photonic integrated circuit. We demonstrate the application of this source to generate a carrier wave at 330 GHz to establish a wireless data transmission link at a data rate up to 18 Gbit/s. Using a coherent detection scheme we increase the sensitivity by more than 10 dB over direct detection.

Live Streaming of Uncompressed HD and 4K Videos Using Terahertz Wireless Links

Taming the Terahertz waves (100 GHz–10 THz) is considered the next frontier in wireless communications. While components for the ultra-high bandwidth Terahertz wireless communications were in rapid development over the past several years, however, their commercial availability is still lacking. Nevertheless, as we demonstrate in this paper, due to recent advances in the microwave and infrared photonics hardware, it is now possible to assemble a high-performance hybrid THz communication system for real-life applications. As an example, in this paper, we present the design and performance evaluation of the photonics-based Terahertz wireless communication system for the transmission of uncompressed 4K video feed that is built using all commercially available system components. In particular, two independent tunable lasers operating in the infrared C-band are used as a source for generating the Terahertz carrier wave using frequency difference generation in a photomixer. One of the IR laser beams carries the data which is intensity modulated using the LiNbO3 electro-optic modulator. A zero bias Schottky diode is used as the detector and demodulator of the data stream followed by the high-gain and low-noise pre-amplifier. The Terahertz carrier frequency is fixed at 138 GHz and the system is characterized by measuring the bit error rate for the pseudo random bit sequences at 5.5 Gbps. By optimizing the link geometry and decision parameters, an error-free ( $\text {BER} ) transmission at a link distance of 1 m is achieved. Finally, we detail the integration of a professional 4K camera into the THz communication link and demonstrate live streaming of the uncompressed HD and 4K video followed by the analysis of link quality.

Mode-locked laser with pulse interleavers in a monolithic photonic integrated circuit for millimeter wave and terahertz carrier generation.

This Letter presents a photonics-based millimeter wave and terahertz frequency synthesizer using a monolithic InP photonic integrated circuit composed of a mode-locked laser (MLL) and two pulse interleaver stages to multiply the repetition rate frequency. The MLL is a multiple colliding pulse MLL producing an 80 GHz repetition rate pulse train. Through two consecutive monolithic pulse interleaver structures, each doubling the repetition rate, we demonstrate the achievement of 160 and 320 GHz. The fabrication was done on a multi-project wafer run of a generic InP photonic technology platform.

120 Gb/s Multi-Channel THz Wireless Transmission and THz Receiver Performance Analysis

A photonic multi-channel terahertz (THz) wireless transmission system in the 350-475 GHz band is experimentally demonstrated. The employment of six THz carriers modulated with 10 Gbaud Nyquist quadrature phase-shift keying baseband signal per carrier results in an overall capacity of up to 120 Gb/s. The THz carriers with high-frequency stability and low phase noise are generated based on photonic photomixing of 25-GHz spaced six optical tones and a single optical local oscillator derived from a same optical frequency comb in an ultrabroadband uni-travelling carrier photodiode. The bit-error-rate performance below the hard decision forward error correction threshold of 3.8×10 -3 for all the channels is successfully achieved after wireless delivery. Furthermore, we also investigate the influence of the harmonic spurs in a THz receiver on the performance of transmission system, and the experimental results suggest more than 30 dB spur suppression ratio in downconverted intermediate frequency signals for obtaining less than 1 dB interference.

Photoinduced Terahertz Conductivity and Carrier Relaxation in Thermal-Reduced Multilayer Graphene Oxide Films

Graphene oxide (GO) is an attractive option for large scale production of graphene. On the other hand, the graphene obtained by the reduction of GO has inevitable structural defects, and the vacant lattice sites will significantly restrict its conductivity. It has been demonstrated that thermal annealing in hydrogen is an efficient method to reduce defects and heal the lattice in GO samples. However, it is still not clear how the defects and/or disordering influence the photoelectric conversion efficiency and the carrier relaxation pathway in GO. Herein, time-domain terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is employed to characterize the properties of the multilayer GO films which were annealed in hydrogen at various temperatures. Upon photoexcitation, a transient increase of the conductivity was observed for the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) samples. The ultrafast carrier relaxation process can be well assigned to the carrier–carrier scattering and carrier–phonon coupling. Our results demonstrated that the RGO films ...