A review of terahertz phase modulation from free space to guided wave integrated devices

Zeng Hongxin; Gong Sen; Wang Lan; Zhou Tianchi; Zhang Yaxin; Lan Feng; Cong Xuan; Wang Luyang; Song Tianyang; Zhao YunCheng; Yang Ziqiang; Mittleman Daniel M.

doi:10.1515/nanoph-2021-0623

Nanophotonics (Dec 2021)

A review of terahertz phase modulation from free space to guided wave integrated devices

Zeng Hongxin,
Gong Sen,
Wang Lan,
Zhou Tianchi,
Zhang Yaxin,
Lan Feng,
Cong Xuan,
Wang Luyang,
Song Tianyang,
Zhao YunCheng,
Yang Ziqiang,
Mittleman Daniel M.

Affiliations

Zeng Hongxin: Sichuan Terahertz Communication Technology Engineering Research Center, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
Gong Sen: Sichuan Terahertz Communication Technology Engineering Research Center, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
Wang Lan: Sichuan Terahertz Communication Technology Engineering Research Center, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
Zhou Tianchi: Sichuan Terahertz Communication Technology Engineering Research Center, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
Zhang Yaxin: Sichuan Terahertz Communication Technology Engineering Research Center, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
Lan Feng: Sichuan Terahertz Communication Technology Engineering Research Center, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
Cong Xuan: Sichuan Terahertz Communication Technology Engineering Research Center, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
Wang Luyang: Sichuan Terahertz Communication Technology Engineering Research Center, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
Song Tianyang: Sichuan Terahertz Communication Technology Engineering Research Center, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
Zhao YunCheng: Shijiazhuang Communication Measurement and Control Technology Research Institute, Shijiazhuang, China
Yang Ziqiang: Sichuan Terahertz Communication Technology Engineering Research Center, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
Mittleman Daniel M.: School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/nanoph-2021-0623
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11, no. 3
pp. 415 – 437

Abstract

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In the past ten years, terahertz technology has developed rapidly in wireless communications, spectroscopy, and imaging. Various functional devices have been developed, such as filters, absorbers, polarizers, mixers, and modulators. Among these, the terahertz phase modulation is a current research hotspot. It is the core technology to realize flexible control of the terahertz wavefront, beam scanning, focusing deflection. It is indispensable in terahertz wireless communication, high-resolution imaging, and radar systems. This review summarizes the research progress of terahertz phase modulators from the two major types: free space and guided wave integration. Among these, the free space terahertz phase modulator is realized by combining the tunable materials and artificial metasurfaces. Based on different types of tunable materials, the terahertz free space phase modulator combining the semiconductor, liquid crystal, phase change materials, graphene, and other two-dimensional materials are introduced, and the influence of different materials on the phase modulation performance is discussed and analyzed. The monolithic integration and waveguide embedding methods are introduced separately, and the characteristics of different forms of terahertz-guided wave phase modulation are also discussed. Finally, the development trends of terahertz phase modulators, possible new methods, and future application requirements are discussed.

Published in Nanophotonics

ISSN: 2192-8606 (Print); 2192-8614 (Online)
Publisher: De Gruyter
Country of publisher: Germany
LCC subjects: Science: Physics
Website: https://www.degruyter.com/journal/key/nanoph/html#submit

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