A team of scientists has developed a silicon chip that could revolutionize wireless communication and pave the way for 6G networks. The chip, smaller than a grain of rice, operates in the terahertz range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which has the potential to carry vast amounts of data. The researchers created a “polarization multiplexer” that acts as a traffic control system for terahertz waves, allowing multiple data streams to be transmitted simultaneously over the same frequency band without congestion.
This effectively doubles the data capacity of wireless networks. The chip was made using a 250-micrometer-thick silicon wafer with high electrical resistance and a technique called deep reactive-ion etching to create intricate patterns that interact specifically with terahertz waves. Despite its small size, the chip can distinguish and combine different terahertz wave polarizations with remarkable accuracy.
During testing, the device showed an average signal loss of only about one decibel, indicating minimal energy wastage.
terahertz chip doubles wireless capacity
The polarization extinction ratio remained over 20 decibels, ensuring that data transmitted on different polarizations would not interfere with each other.
In real-world tests, the team successfully transmitted two separate high-definition video streams concurrently over a terahertz link, effectively doubling the information transmitted over a single channel. Using more complex modulation schemes, they reached rates of up to 190 gigabits per second – enough to download six high-definition movies in a single second. Professor Withawat Withayachumnankul from the University of Adelaide’s School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, who led the team, explained, “Our proposed polarization multiplexer will allow multiple data streams to be transmitted simultaneously over the same bandwidth, effectively doubling the data capacity.”
The potential applications of this technology extend beyond faster movie downloads.
It could redefine augmented reality, enable seamless remote surgery, and create highly immersive virtual worlds. The team anticipates that within the next one to two years, researchers will begin exploring new applications and refining the technology. The study, published in the journal Laser & Photonic Reviews, represents a significant step forward in the development of terahertz communications and brings us closer to the realization of 6G networks.
As the demand for faster and more reliable wireless communication continues to grow, innovations like this polarization multiplexer will play a crucial role in shaping the future of connectivity.
