Optically controlled THz phased array antennas
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: School of Engineering
Abstract
Many applications of THz radiation require sources that are compact, low-cost, and operate at room temperature.
In this project, a low-noise optically-controlled THz array antenna system will be developed, addressing a significant barrier in the adoption of THz technology. We will demonstrate a novel 'system on a chip', integrating a thin film antenna array, photodiode array, semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) array and optical beam forming network. The SOA array enhances the pump power and ensures all array elements are evenly pumped. The beam former is used to control the phase difference between the THz radiation from different THz antennas, and thus scanning of THz beam can be realized. A THz repetition frequency mode-locked laser will be used as the light source to lock the phase of optical signals in the chip, greatly reducing the linewidth of the THz emission.
The advantages of this THz emitter system include a high peak intensity due to radiation from the antennas combining coherently, room temperature operation, continuous-wave operation, compact form factor, and a narrow steerable beam. The sources will be assessed for use in systems for high-bandwidth wireless communications and for medical imaging.
In this project, a low-noise optically-controlled THz array antenna system will be developed, addressing a significant barrier in the adoption of THz technology. We will demonstrate a novel 'system on a chip', integrating a thin film antenna array, photodiode array, semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) array and optical beam forming network. The SOA array enhances the pump power and ensures all array elements are evenly pumped. The beam former is used to control the phase difference between the THz radiation from different THz antennas, and thus scanning of THz beam can be realized. A THz repetition frequency mode-locked laser will be used as the light source to lock the phase of optical signals in the chip, greatly reducing the linewidth of the THz emission.
The advantages of this THz emitter system include a high peak intensity due to radiation from the antennas combining coherently, room temperature operation, continuous-wave operation, compact form factor, and a narrow steerable beam. The sources will be assessed for use in systems for high-bandwidth wireless communications and for medical imaging.
Planned Impact
The research within this proposal has the potential to impact a range of sectors and applications including imaging, wireless communications, molecular detection, security inspection, biomedicine and radar. Here we detail how we will aim to maximise the impact through working with existing partners and engaging with stakeholders from a range of sectors to open up a variety of commercialisation opportunities.
The project has a strong partner network that will support the development of the technology and offer routes to manufacture and a range of markets (Economic). UK manufacturers have expressed their interest in taking the THz devices to manufacture but also in the potential opportunities that the technology will enable in communications, a core business area. They will also directly contribute to device processing for the project. A further industrial partner will work with the research team to investigate the performance of systems against industry standards as well as providing input to designs. The NHS Medical Devices Unit has specific interests in THz imaging for clinical applications (Social) and will provide input, support and guidance to evaluate devices likely to offer benefit to patients within the NHS. Both universities have extensive experience of IP protection and commercialisation.
Beyond the core partners, we will connect with organisations with interests in novel optoelectronic technologies who have the capabilities to take outputs to market. These companies will be invited to join an industrial advisory session within the annual workshop to guide KE/Commercialisation activities.
An annual facilitated workshop will be held alternately at UCL and UoG. This will be an opportunity to present our research and gain information on user requirements involving our existing industry partners, but working with Technology Scotland, the KTN groups, and the EPSRC CDTs in Photonic Integration and Advanced Data Storage, Intelligent Sensing and Imaging, Applied Photonics, and Integrated Photonic and Electronic Systems. We will reach out to new contacts who could contribute to our programme and benefit from the outputs. This also offers the CDT cohorts additional industrial networking opportunities.
Photonics West is the key industry event in this sector and it is anticipated that the team will participate in 2019 / 2020. This is an ideal platform at which to highlight the research progress and we would aim to present jointly with our industry partners. In the UK and Europe, we aim to participate in a selection of relevant events such as Photonex, Laser World of Photonics 2019, and the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition. We will also develop Public Engagement workshops that can be put on at the Glasgow (June 2021), Northern Ireland (Feb 2021) and relevant London-based Science Events. The aim of the workshops will be to educate audiences on the wide applications and potential of THz science.
The project has a strong partner network that will support the development of the technology and offer routes to manufacture and a range of markets (Economic). UK manufacturers have expressed their interest in taking the THz devices to manufacture but also in the potential opportunities that the technology will enable in communications, a core business area. They will also directly contribute to device processing for the project. A further industrial partner will work with the research team to investigate the performance of systems against industry standards as well as providing input to designs. The NHS Medical Devices Unit has specific interests in THz imaging for clinical applications (Social) and will provide input, support and guidance to evaluate devices likely to offer benefit to patients within the NHS. Both universities have extensive experience of IP protection and commercialisation.
Beyond the core partners, we will connect with organisations with interests in novel optoelectronic technologies who have the capabilities to take outputs to market. These companies will be invited to join an industrial advisory session within the annual workshop to guide KE/Commercialisation activities.
An annual facilitated workshop will be held alternately at UCL and UoG. This will be an opportunity to present our research and gain information on user requirements involving our existing industry partners, but working with Technology Scotland, the KTN groups, and the EPSRC CDTs in Photonic Integration and Advanced Data Storage, Intelligent Sensing and Imaging, Applied Photonics, and Integrated Photonic and Electronic Systems. We will reach out to new contacts who could contribute to our programme and benefit from the outputs. This also offers the CDT cohorts additional industrial networking opportunities.
Photonics West is the key industry event in this sector and it is anticipated that the team will participate in 2019 / 2020. This is an ideal platform at which to highlight the research progress and we would aim to present jointly with our industry partners. In the UK and Europe, we aim to participate in a selection of relevant events such as Photonex, Laser World of Photonics 2019, and the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition. We will also develop Public Engagement workshops that can be put on at the Glasgow (June 2021), Northern Ireland (Feb 2021) and relevant London-based Science Events. The aim of the workshops will be to educate audiences on the wide applications and potential of THz science.
Organisations
- University of Glasgow (Lead Research Organisation)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (Collaboration)
- TeraView (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Compound Semiconductor Technologies (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- University of Toronto (Project Partner)
- NHS GREATER GLASGOW AND CLYDE (Project Partner)
Publications
Zhao H
(2022)
Gold-viral particle identification by deep learning in wide-field photon scattering parametric images.
in Applied optics
Yu F
(2021)
Quantitative analysis of errors caused by vibration on polarization parametric indirect microscopic imaging system.
in Applied optics
Xia Z
(2022)
Temporal Evolution of Refractive Index Induced by Short Laser Pulses Accounting for Both Photoacoustic and Photothermal Effects
in Applied Sciences
Hou R
(2021)
Numerical Simulation of Enhanced Photoacoustic Generation and Wavefront Shaping by a Distributed Laser Array
in Applied Sciences
Zhang Y
(2022)
Co-optimization method to improve lateral resolution in photoacoustic computed tomography.
in Biomedical optics express
Jin X
(2023)
Asymmetric parameter enhancement in the split-ring cavity array for virus-like particle sensing.
in Biomedical optics express
Seddon J
(2022)
Photodiodes for Terahertz Applications
in IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics
Zhang H
(2021)
Photon Scattering Signal Amplification in Gold-Viral Particle Ligation Towards Fast Infection Screening
in IEEE Photonics Journal
Sun X
(2022)
Monolithically Integrated AlGaInAs MQW Polarization Mode Converter Using a Stepped Height Ridge Waveguide
in IEEE Photonics Journal
Ye S
(2023)
1.55-µm Sidewall Grating DFB Lasers Integrated With a Waveguide Crossing for an Optical Beam Forming Network
in IEEE Photonics Technology Letters
Al-Moathin A
(2022)
EML Based on Identical Epitaxial Layer, Side-Wall Grating and HSQ Planarization
in IEEE Photonics Technology Letters
Liu Y
(2022)
Optical and RIN Spectrum Improvements in Necked Waveguide High-Power DFB Laser Diode
in IEEE Photonics Technology Letters
Fan Y
(2024)
Millimeter-Wave Generation Based on Four Phase-Shifted Sampled Moiré Grating Dual-Wavelength DFB Laser
in IEEE Photonics Technology Letters
Hou L
(2020)
Photonic integrated circuits for terahertz source generation
in IET Optoelectronics
Yadav N
(2021)
Resolving deep sub-wavelength scattering of nanoscale sidewalls using parametric microscopy
in Journal of Electronic Science and Technology
Yuan B
(2023)
Dual-wavelength DFB Laser Array Based on Sidewall Grating and Lateral Modulation of the Grating Coupling Coefficient
in Journal of Lightwave Technology
Leitenstorfer A
(2023)
The 2023 terahertz science and technology roadmap
in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Hou L
(2021)
Monolithic DWDM source with precise channel spacing
in Journal of Semiconductors
Guo B
(2021)
Detection of virus particles by scattering field using the multiperspective polarization modulation imaging method
in Journal of the Optical Society of America B
Al-Moathin A
(2019)
Thick film hydrogen silsesquioxane planarization for passive component technology associated with electronic-photonic integrated circuits
in Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B, Nanotechnology and Microelectronics: Materials, Processing, Measurement, and Phenomena
Jin X
(2023)
Sub-wavelength visualization of near-field scattering mode of plasmonic nano-cavity in the far-field
in Nanophotonics
Zhao H
(2022)
Signal denoising of viral particle in wide-field photon scattering parametric images using deep learning
in Optics Communications
Liu W
(2021)
Polarization multi-parametric imaging method for the inspection of cervix cell
in Optics Communications
Tough EJ
(2022)
InP integrated optical frequency comb generator using an amplified recirculating loop.
in Optics express
Description | 1. A compact high-power terahertz source was fabricated. It was composed of two chips: a monolithic optical beam forming network and an array of high-speed photodiodes with integrated THz antennas. 2. An asymmetric twin-waveguide laser epitaxy structure was designed, which enables efficient power transfer between the upper active waveguide and the lower passive waveguide, as well as providing a reliable optical interconnect between laser diodes, optical modulators, and optical amplifiers. 3. An InP-based waveguide crossing was optimized and manufactured. The crosstalk suppression ratio was >20 dB, enabling complex InP-based photonic integrated circuits to be designed with multiple crossings. 4. A Y-branch optical splitter using turning mirrors was proposed and fabricated. This allowed the entire length of 1×2 optical splitters to be kept below 100 µm, which significantly reduces the size of the whole chip. 5. A prototype optical beam forming network chip for THz frequencies was fabricated, which monolithically integrated laser diodes with arrays of optical phase modulators and semiconductor optical amplifiers. Fabrication of this chip provided verification of the feasibility of monolithic approaches in InP-based photonic integrated circuits (PICs). 6. A range of evanescently coupled waveguide InP-based uni-travelling carrier photodiodes (UTC-PD) were proposed and fabricated. Response speeds greater than 67 GHz (limited by the test equipment) were demonstrated, enabling high-speed optical light detection. 7. Monolithic arrays of edge-coupled UTC-PD antennas were fabricated These devices integrated uni-travelling carrier photodiodes with THz antennas, which will enable high-power sources of terahertz radiation to be realised. The UTC-PD antenna chips are designed to be coupled to the optical beam forming PICs to allow coherent beam steering of high-power THz radiation. |
Exploitation Route | Photonic techniques for generating and steering THz radiation have important applications in 6G wireless communications and imaging for healthcare and security applications. The optical beam forming network proposed here can be used to steer THz beams at high speed and can be used to drive arrays of photodiode antennas as shown here but also active sources such as resonant tunnelling diode antenna arrays. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Healthcare |
Description | The results of the research have been used in further proposals to enhance the performance of 6G wireless networks, and an integration platform using Lithium Niobate on Insulator for THz communications. |
First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) |
Description | (TERAOPTICS) - Terahertz Photonics for Communications, Space, Security, Radio-Astronomy, and Material Science |
Amount | € 3,974,527 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 956857 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 09/2020 |
End | 08/2024 |
Description | PATTERN: Next generation ultra-high-speed microwave Photonic integrATed circuiTs using advancE hybRid iNtegration |
Amount | £589,667 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 10044974 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 08/2026 |
Description | QUantum Dot On Silicon systems for communications, information processing and sensing (QUDOS) |
Amount | £6,123,268 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/T028475/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2020 |
End | 10/2025 |
Description | Thin Film Lithium Niobate Photonic Sensors for Biochemical Detection |
Amount | £10,081 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/X005119/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 08/2023 |
Description | Epitaxial growth of UTC photodiodes |
Organisation | Chinese Academy of Sciences |
Department | Chinese Institute of Semiconductors |
Country | China |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have fabricated UTC photodiodes from IOS material. |
Collaborator Contribution | IOS has supplied epitaxial wafers. |
Impact | Results in progress. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Integration platform collaboration with CSEM for work on LNOI |
Organisation | Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | UCL team is looking at enabling the integration of microwave photonic functionality onto an LNOI integration multiwafer platform. We are contributing RF and optical design as well as chip structure designs. |
Collaborator Contribution | CSEM gives us access to their multiwafer platform and to a number of runs to develop PICs. They are also sponsoring a PhD studentship. |
Impact | Two fabrication runs have already been measured. New designs of modulators were developed. This has also led to 2 research grant, one travel grant from BBSRC and one large EU grant. |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Engineering Scotland Innovation Lecture, 10 February, 2021 on 'Photons in the cloud - dream or reality?' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | More than 90 people attended the presentation which sparked 20 minutes of questions and discussion. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/engineering-scotland-innovation-lecture-2021-10th-february-6pm-zoom-t... |
Description | Microsoft Research Lecture in the Optics for the Cloud Series: 13 June 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | The Optics for the Cloud series features leading researchers giving public talks on cutting-edge topics The lecture was on the topic 'Photons in the cloud: communicating and storing data'. It led to a strong question and discussion and to further engagement with Microsoft.. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/event/optics-for-the-cloud-lecture-series/ |
Description | Research Outreach article. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Published outreach article in research outreach on UCL work on UTC-PDs and their application to wireless communication. The article was published both online and in a paper magazine and accompanied by a Twitter campaign. The readership so far has been above 1000 readers and it has generated a number of contact and discussion already with different industrial potential partners and academic partners in different disciplines. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://cdn.researchoutreach.org/Flipbooks/RO119/index.html# |
Description | Short course on THz photonics |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | This was the first day of a summer school on THz photonic technologies which was advertised across the world to the scientific community and graduate/doctoral schools. This first day was an introduction to THz photonics technologies and their impact on application, before the participants could engage with more focus subjects in the next few days. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Teranet International Workshop on Terahertz Communications Wed 21st July 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Dear members of Teranet, We are pleased to announce a Teranet International Workshop on the emerging field of Terahertz Communications to be held on Wednesday 21st July, 11am to 2pm UK time, which will be hosted by University College London and the University of Glasgow via Zoom. Registration is free; please use the following eventbrite link to register for the meeting by 7th July 2021: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/160588449375 (please contact Vicki McGrath (v.mcgrath@ucl.ac.uk) if you have any problems with the form). A Zoom link to the meeting and a final agenda will be circulated to registrants in time for the meeting. Feel free to share this email with any students, PDRAs, or staff who may be interested in the Workshop. There will be three sessions, covering the topics of terahertz sources, modulation and detection. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |