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Abstract Terahertz (THz) communication is an up‐and‐coming technology for the sixth‐generation wireless network. The realization of ultra‐high‐speed THz communication requires the combination of multi‐dimensional multiplexing schemes, including polarization division multiplexing (PDM), mode division multiplexing (MDM), and wavelength division multiplexing, to increase channel capacity. However, most existing devices for MDM in the THz regime are single‐purpose and incapable of multi‐dimensional modulation. Here, all‐dielectric metasurfaces are designed for 2D multiplexing/demultiplexing, which takes the lead in combining orbital angular momentum (OAM) MDM and PDM in the THz regime. The multi‐functional wavefront phase modulations and interleaved meta‐atom arrangements are used to realize polarization‐selective multichannel OAM mode (de)multiplexing, in which the linear‐polarized 4‐channel and circular‐polarized 6‐channel demultiplexing are experimentally demonstrated. Between different linear‐polarized channels, the measured maximum crosstalk is −16.88 dB, and the isolation of each channel can be greater than 10 dB in a range wider than 0.1 THz. This study paves the way for multi‐dimensional multiplexing in the THz regime, which may benefit extremely high‐capacity and integrated THz communication systems. The proposed design strategy is readily applied to multi‐functional metasurfaces for microwaves and far infrared light, facilitating the development of multiplexing technology and OAM‐related applications.
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Ultrafast modulation of terahertz waves using on-chip dual-layer near-field coupling
As a key potential component of future sixth-generation (6G) communication systems, terahertz (THz) technology has received much attention in recent years. However, a lack of effective high-speed direct modulation of THz waves has limited the development of THz communication technology. Currently, most high-speed modulators are based on photonic systems that can modulate electromagnetic waves with high speed using sophisticated optoelectronic conversion techniques. Yet, they usually suffer from low conversion efficiency of light to the THz range, resulting in low output power of the modulated THz waves. Here, we describe a guided-wave modulator for THz signals whose performance nearly matches that of existing in-line fiber-optic modulators. Our results demonstrate a maximum modulation depth greater than 20 dB (99%) and a maximum sinusoidal modulation speed of more than 30 GHz, with an insertion loss around 7 dB. We demonstrate the capabilities of this modulator in a point-to-point communication link with a 25 Gbit/s modulation speed. Our modulator design, based on near-field coupling of a THz transmission line to a single resonant meta-element, represents a powerful improvement for on-chip integrated high-performance THz devices.
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- PAR ID:
- 10380275
- Publisher / Repository:
- Optical Society of America
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Optica
- Volume:
- 9
- Issue:
- 11
- ISSN:
- 2334-2536
- Format(s):
- Medium: X Size: Article No. 1268
- Size(s):
- Article No. 1268
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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