Graphene Integrated Photonic Transceivers (GIPT)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Engineering
Abstract
Mobile data traffic is predicted to grow at very high pace in the next decade. The increase of 5G users (+3.6Bn in 2026), 5G coverage (~60% of the population in 2025), and 5G per-capita speed (x13 in 2023) is challenging the existing mobile transport infrastructures.
The new 5G infrastructure will have new and smart radio antenna systems, able to deliver up to 2Gbps to single users with low latency. These will be equipped with multiple radio elements in order to perform massive multiple-in multiple-out functions, together with beam steering/forming. The intra-antenna data process cannot be performed with traditional electric transport and a new approach is needed based on optical data exchange between radio-frequency integrated circuits and digital processors. High bandwidth density, low cost, low power consumption, and outdoor operativity are required for optical transceivers to enable such applications. Existing optical platforms cannot meet all the requirements simultaneously. A new technology is required, capable of
handling large amounts of data at higher speeds whilst meeting cost per Gbps targets and minimising energy consumption.
Graphene is an ideal material for optoelectronic applications. Its photonic properties give several advantages and complementarities over other materials. GIPT will develop a graphene-integrated photonic transceiver to enable the 5G intra-antenna optical connectivity by exploiting the unique properties of graphene. GIPT will demonstrate cost-effective, high-performance, low-power consumption, and temperature resilient, electro absorption modulators and photodetectors, ready to be taken to the next development and commercialisation steps.
The new 5G infrastructure will have new and smart radio antenna systems, able to deliver up to 2Gbps to single users with low latency. These will be equipped with multiple radio elements in order to perform massive multiple-in multiple-out functions, together with beam steering/forming. The intra-antenna data process cannot be performed with traditional electric transport and a new approach is needed based on optical data exchange between radio-frequency integrated circuits and digital processors. High bandwidth density, low cost, low power consumption, and outdoor operativity are required for optical transceivers to enable such applications. Existing optical platforms cannot meet all the requirements simultaneously. A new technology is required, capable of
handling large amounts of data at higher speeds whilst meeting cost per Gbps targets and minimising energy consumption.
Graphene is an ideal material for optoelectronic applications. Its photonic properties give several advantages and complementarities over other materials. GIPT will develop a graphene-integrated photonic transceiver to enable the 5G intra-antenna optical connectivity by exploiting the unique properties of graphene. GIPT will demonstrate cost-effective, high-performance, low-power consumption, and temperature resilient, electro absorption modulators and photodetectors, ready to be taken to the next development and commercialisation steps.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Andrea Ferrari (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
I. Batatia
(2024)
A foundation model for atomistic materials chemistry
in arXiv:2401.00096
E. Mostaani
(2023)
Charge-carrier complexes in monolayer semiconductors
in Phys. Rev. B
Di Gaspare A
(2024)
Compact terahertz harmonic generation in the Reststrahlenband using a graphene-embedded metallic split ring resonator array.
in Nature communications
X. Chen
(2023)
Control of Raman Scattering Quantum Interference Pathways in Graphene
in ACS Nano
Zhu Y
(2024)
Controlled Growth of Single-Crystal Graphene Wafers on Twin-Boundary-Free Cu(111) Substrates.
in Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
A. Di Gaspare
(2023)
Electrically Tunable Nonlinearity at 3.2 Terahertz in Single-Layer Graphene
in ACS Photonics
Ott A
(2024)
Encyclopedia of Condensed Matter Physics
Watson H
(2024)
Graphene Phase Modulators Operating in the Transparency Regime
in ACS Nano
H. F. Y. Watson
(2023)
Graphene phase modulators operating in the transparency regime
in arXiv:2401.01908
Watson H
(2024)
Graphene phase modulators operating in the transparency regime
S. Akhavan
(2023)
Graphene-perovskite fibre photodetectors
in ArXiv: 2311.11450
M. S. G. Feuer
(2023)
Identification of Exciton Complexes in Charge-Tunable Janus WSeS Monolayers
in ACS Nano
Montblanch AR
(2023)
Layered materials as a platform for quantum technologies.
in Nature nanotechnology
Whelan PR
(2024)
Mapping nanoscale carrier confinement in polycrystalline graphene by terahertz spectroscopy.
in Scientific reports
Cadore A
(2024)
Monolayer WS 2 electro- and photo-luminescence enhancement by TFSI treatment
in 2D Materials
Ramsden H
(2023)
Nanoscale Cathodoluminescence and Conductive Mode Scanning Electron Microscopy of van der Waals Heterostructures.
in ACS nano
Alexeev EM
(2024)
Nature of Long-Lived Moiré Interlayer Excitons in Electrically Tunable MoS2/MoSe2 Heterobilayers.
in Nano letters
A. C. Ferrari,
(2023)
Phononics of graphene, layered materials, and heterostructures
in Appl. Phys. Lett.
Sorgi A
(2024)
QCL-Based Cryogen-Free THz Optical Wireless Communication Link
in Laser & Photonics Reviews
Anna K. Ott
(2024)
Raman spectroscopy of graphene and related materials
in Encyclopedia of Condensed Matter Physics
Viti L
(2025)
Scalable Terahertz Room Temperature Photoreceivers Based on Large-Area Hexagonal Boron Nitride and Graphene Heterostructures
in Advanced Optical Materials
A. Di Gaspare
(2023)
Self-Induced Mode-Locking in Electrically Pumped Far-Infrared Random Lasers
in Advanced Science
| Description | GIPT developed a graphene-integrated photonic transceiver to enable the 5G intra-antenna optical connectivity by exploiting the unique properties of graphene. GIPT demonstrate high-performance, low-power consumption, and temperature resilient, electro absorption modulators and photodetectors, ready to be taken to the next development and commercialization steps. |
| Exploitation Route | The devices will be commercialized by spin out CamGraPhIC ltd |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Electronics |
| Description | The Centre has developed links with over 80 companies. Industry days have been organized every year until the COVID-19 pandemic, while regular contacts with industrial partners have been maintained throughout the entire period. |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Energy,Environment,Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Aixtron Ltd |
| Organisation | Aixtron Limited |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | GRM technology knowhow |
| Collaborator Contribution | Information on end-use application and research collaboration |
| Impact | n/a |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | CONSORZIO NAZIONALE INTERUNIVERSITARIO PER LE TELECOMUNICAZIONI |
| Organisation | Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario Per Le Telecomunicazioni |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | GRM technology knowhow |
| Collaborator Contribution | technology knowhow |
| Impact | n/a |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | CamGraPhIC Ltd |
| Organisation | CamGraPhIC Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | GRM technology knowhow and IP licence |
| Collaborator Contribution | Information on end-use application and research collaboration |
| Impact | N/A |
| Start Year | 2019 |