Demonstration of photonics-based D-band integrated localization and communication.

The terahertz spectrum has the ability to provide high-speed communication and millimeter-level resolution. As a result, terahertz-integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has been identified as a key enabler for 6G wireless networks. This work discusses a photonics-based D-band communication system for integrated high-resolution localization and high-speed wireless communication. Our empirical results show that a communication rate of 5 Gbps over a distance of 1.5 m and location identification of the target with millimeter-level (<4m m) range resolution can be conducted simultaneously using the same signal. We also show that the error due to the thickness of the beam splitter can be eliminated, while the quantization error and the random drift errors are the limiting factors of the resolution achieved. This experimental demonstration using D-band communication indicates that terahertz ISAC can be realized for 6G networks while considering the underlying system restrictions (e.g., bandwidth limit and lens diameter).

20 dB improvement utilizing custom-designed 3D-printed terahertz horn coupler.

Terahertz band is envisaged to provide substantially higher capacity and much lower latency for wireless communications in contrast to microwave frequencies. Moving to higher frequencies comes with its own unique challenges to be addressed, such as poor coupling efficiency from free space into and out of planar air-core waveguides. Here, we propose a framework for rapid design and low-cost fabrication of terahertz horn couplers. The horn couplers are first designed by maximizing the field overlap integral on apex and aperture interfaces, then fabricated exploiting 3D printing technique, and finally sputtered with a thin layer of gold. A 28~µm standard deviation of the surface roughness height of the 3D printed horn couplers is calculated. Experimental demonstrations show that the proposed horn coupler improves the transmittance of a hybrid photonic crystal waveguide by 20 dB in comparison with the previous pinhole-based coupling configuration. This work provides a fast, convenient and economical approach for design and fabrication of customized couplers for any waveguide size, with a cost of only 5% of commercially available counterparts, and could be integrated in 3D-printed terahertz devices during fabrication.

Terahertz imaging: a diagnostic technology for prevention of grass seed infestation.

One of the most significant problems the Australian sheep and lamb industry faces today is grass seed infestation (GSI), which occurs when seeds accumulate in the sheep's fleece and penetrate the skin, causing infection. Meat & Livestock Australia estimates that the yearly losses caused due to GSI are around AUD$47.5 M (in Australia alone). Here, we demonstrate that terahertz spectroscopy and imaging can be utilized for early detection of GSI. This is possible because terahertz waves can penetrate through sheep wool and have the appropriate wavelength for identifying the seed. Moreover, terahertz waves have non-invasive and non-ionizing properties and are ideal for non-contact and standoff detection. This work demonstrates that terahertz waves can be utilized for the early detection of seeds in the animal fleece or on the pelt as a precursor tool for the prevention of GSI.

Compact terahertz birefringent gratings for dispersion compensation.

Terahertz radiation as an upcoming carrier frequency for next-generation wireless communication systems has great potential to enable ultra-high-capacity transmissions with several tens of gigahertz bandwidths. Nevertheless, dispersion is one of the main impairments in achieving a higher bit rate. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a compact terahertz dispersion compensator based on subwavelength gratings. The gratings are fabricated from the low-loss cyclic olefin copolymer exploiting micro-machining fabrication techniques. With the strong index modulation introduced in the subwavelength grating, the high negative group velocity dispersion of -188 (-88) ps/mm/THz is achieved at 0.15 THz for x-polarization (y-polarization), i.e., 7.5 times increase compared to the state-of-the-art reported to date for terahertz. Such high negative dispersion is realized in a grating of 43 mm length. The asymmetric cross-section and periodic-structural modulation along propagation direction lead to considerable birefringence that maintains and filters two orthogonal polarization states, respectively. These polymer-based birefringent gratings can be integrated into terahertz communication systems for dispersion compensation of both long-haul wireless links and waveguide-based interconnect links.

Terahertz polarization-maintaining subwavelength filters.

Terahertz (THz) polarization-maintaining waveguides, which have been considered fundamental elements in polarization-sensitive THz systems, are promising platforms in developing functional THz devices. Here, we propose a THz grating based on a subwavelength rectangular polymer waveguide, which filters two polarization states simultaneously. The proposed gratings are characterized and discussed using numerical simulations. We observe two transmission dips with over a 20.9 dB extinction ratio (ER) and around a 21.1 GHz full-width half-maximum (FWHM), where the reflective frequencies of the two polarization waves and the separation between them can be harnessed with appropriate structure designs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the grating can operate as a polarization-maintaining narrow bandpass filter (ER>12.3 dB and FWHM<1.7 GHz) by introducing a π-phase shift. This work has the potential to open a new avenue for steering polarized THz radiation using the waveguide-based filters, which could be integrated in THz polarization-sensitive imaging, sensing, and wireless communication systems.

Removing image artefacts in wire array metamaterials.

Hyperlenses and hyperbolic media endoscopes can overcome the diffraction limit by supporting propagating high spatial frequency extraordinary waves. While hyperlenses can resolve subwavelength details far below the diffraction limit, images obtained from them are not perfect: resonant high spatial frequency slab modes as well as diffracting ordinary waves cause image distortion and artefacts. In order to use hyperlenses as broad-band subwavelength imaging devices, it is thus necessary to avoid or correct such unwanted artefacts. Here we introduce three methods, namely convolution, field averaging, and power averaging, to remove imaging artefacts over wide frequency bands, and numerically demonstrate their effectiveness based on simulations of a wire medium endoscope. We also define a projection in spatial Fourier space to effectively filter out all ordinary waves, leading to considerable reduction in image distortion. These methods are outlined and demonstrated for simple and complex apertures.

Compact air-cavity resonators within a metamaterial waveguide.

Recent advances in metamaterials have revealed the possibility of overcoming the diffraction limit, opening the door for high-density-integration photonic devices including waveguides and cavities. Here we investigate the condition required to have air cavities within a uniaxial metamaterial clad waveguide. Our work reveals that air-cavity sizes much smaller than the operating wavelength (D2h/λ3=1/(352×100)) are achievable under specific cladding material conditions, which could have a great impact on the miniaturization of electromagnetic devices. Harnessing metamaterials enables engineering of the required condition at a desired wavelength, unlike plasmonic cavities where the condition is reached at a specific wavelength.

Linearly polarized single TM mode terahertz waveguide.

We design a hollow-core terahertz (THz) waveguide guiding a single linearly polarized mode. This is achieved using a hybrid cladding, where we introduce a ring of subwavelength structures, including metal wires and air-holes. The wire-based cladding is extremely anisotropic, reflecting only transverse magnetic (TM) modes. The polarization of TM modes is further manipulated by replacing some wires with air-holes. Numerical simulations confirm the guidance of only an x-polarized TM2 mode over 0.36-0.46 THz in a wavelength-scale core (diameter of 1 mm). The propagation losses are of the order 0.25 dB/cm, with low bend losses <0.3 dB/cm at 0.4 THz for a bend radius of 5 cm.

Spatial dispersion in three-dimensional drawn magnetic metamaterials.

We characterize spatial dispersion in longitudinally invariant drawn metamaterials with a magnetic response at terahertz frequencies, whereby a change in the angle of the incident field produces a shift in the resonant frequency. We present a simple analytical model to predict this shift. We also demonstrate that the spatial dispersion is eliminated by breaking the longitudinal invariance using laser ablation. The experimental results are in agreement with numerical simulations.

THz porous fibers: design, fabrication and experimental characterization.

Porous fibers have been identified as a means of achieving low losses, low dispersion and high birefringence among THz polymer fibers. By exploiting optical fiber fabrication techniques, two types of THz polymer porous fibers--spider-web and rectangular porous fibers--with 57% and 65% porosity have been fabricated. The effective refractive index measured by terahertz time domain spectroscopy shows a good agreement between the theoretical and experimental results indicating a lower dispersion for THz porous fiber compared to THz microwires. A birefringence of 0.012 at 0.65 THz is also reported for rectangular porous fiber.

Radiated and guided optical waves of a magnetic dipole-nanofiber system.

Nanophotonics-photonic structures with subwavelength features-allow accessing high intensity and localized electromagnetic field and hence is an ideal platform for investigating and exploiting strong lightmatter interaction. In particular, such a strong light-matter interaction requires investigating the interaction of a magnetic dipole with the electromagnetic field- a less-explored topic, which has usually been ignored within the framework of electric dipole approximation. Motivated by recent advances in the emerging field of multipolar nanophotonics, here we develop an analytical model that provides a new insight into analyzing a magnetic dipole and a nanofiber. This method enables us to examine the effect of second term in the multipolar expansion of light-matter interaction, magnetic dipole approximation, with individual guided and radiation modes of the nanofiber. This is a critical key in developing nanophotonic integrated devices based on magnetic nature of light for super-imaging, biosensing, and optical computing.

Porous fibers: a novel approach to low loss THz waveguides.

We propose a novel class of optical fiber with a porous transverse cross-section that is created by arranging sub-wavelength air-holes within the core of the fiber. These fibers can offer a combination of low transmission loss and high mode confinement in the THz regime by exploiting the enhancement of the guided mode field that occurs within these sub-wavelength holes. We evaluate the properties of these porous fibers and quantitatively compare their performance relative to that of a solid core air cladded fiber (microwire). For similar loss values, porous fibers enable improved light confinement and reduced distortion of a broadband pulse compared to microwires.

In silico investigation of factors affecting the MV imaging performance of a novel water-equivalent EPID.

PURPOSE: A Geant4 model of a novel, water-equivalent electronic portal imaging device (EPID) prototype for radiotherapy imaging and dosimetry utilising an array of plastic scintillating fibres (PSFs) has been developed. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were performed to quantify the PSF-EPID imaging performance and to investigate design aspects affecting performance for optimisation. METHODS: Using the Geant4 model, the PSF-EPID's imaging performance for 6 MV photon beams was quantified in terms of its modulation transfer function (MTF), noise power spectrum (NPS) and detective quantum efficiency (DQE). Model parameters, including fibre dimensions, optical cladding reflectivity and scintillation yield, were varied to investigate impact on imaging performance. RESULTS: The MC-calculated DQE(0) for the reference PSF-EPID geometry employing 30mm fibres was approximately nine times greater than values reported for commercial EPIDs. When using 10mm long fibres, the PSF-EPID DQE(0) was still approximately three times greater than that of a commercial EPID. Increased fibre length, cladding reflectivity and scintillation yield produced the greatest decreases in NPS and increases in DQE. CONCLUSIONS: The potential to develop an optimised next-generation water-equivalent EPID with MV imaging performance at least comparable to commercial EPIDs has been demonstrated. Factors most important for optimising prototype design include fibre length, cladding reflectivity and scintillation yield.