Graphene-based Plasmonic Nano-transceiver for Terahertz Band Communication

Current wireless systems operate at frequencies around or below 5 GHz. As the frequency increases, as does the bandwidth, and ultimately, as do the achievable data transfer rates. However, as frequency increases, so does propagation loss, or the loss of power density, from the expansion of the radio wave in free space, ultimately hindering the ability to achieve high data transfer rates over long distances. Devices capable of operating in the Terahertz Band (0.1 THz and 10 THz) yield a signal more than two orders of magnitude higher than standard wireless systems. The Terahertz band offers a great compromise between achievable data-rates and distance; however, the current devices capable of operating in the Terahertz Band are large and perform poorly at room temperature. Researchers at University of Buffalo collaborating with researchers at George Institute of Technology have created nano-transceiver capable of enabling access to the Terahertz Band. By using graphene to enhance their device, these researchers have created a transceiver that is both small and operable at room temperature. The transceiver can facilitate the transmission links of a few terabits/second (1,000,000,000,000 bits/second) at distances below one meter, which is several orders of magnitude better than current state-of-the-art technology. By embedding the transceiver in phones, computers, or tablets, an entire computer’s worth of data can be transmitted to another nearby devices within seconds. Further, this transceiver could be used to create wireless links with chemical and biological sensors, as well as be used to create wireless networks-on-chips for future large-density multi-core processing architectures.h