Solid-state Terahertz Devices & Applications
CHEN Zhe, ZHOU Peigen, LI Zekun, TANG Dawei, ZHANG Rui, YAN Zheng, TANG Siyuan, ZHOU Rui, QI Yue, YAN Pinpin, GAO Liang, CHEN Jixin, HONG Wei
In recent years, the terahertz frequency band has garnered extensive attention as an alternative frequency band for the next-generation 6G communication technology, and terahertz has thus emerged as a research focus. Terahertz integrated circuits (chips) are crucial for facilitating the rapid development of various terahertz application systems. With the continuous enhancement of characteristic frequency and maximum oscillation frequency(fT/fmax) of silicon-based processes, it becomes feasible to achieve fully integrated silicon-based terahertz transmitters in the terahertz frequency band using silicon-based processes. This article briefly reviews significant research advancements in terahertz transmitter chip technologies based on silicon-based processes, including 150 GHz direct up conversion transmitter chips, 220 GHz sliding intermediate-frequency superheterodyne transmitter chips, and D-band direct modulation transmitter chips. Experimental results have verified the advantages of the terahertz frequency band in high-speed communication applications. Silicon-based terahertz transceiver integrated circuits are expected to be the key technology for breaking through the requirements of high data rates in 6G systems.