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Ultra-Fast 6G Wireless Communication To Leverage Terahertz Technology
2025_10
The future of sensing, imaging and communications is being transformed by unlocking the potential of the terahertz spectrum.
Waves of energy that travel through space are called electromagnetic radiation. These types of waves are sorted into regions based on wavelength and frequency which include radio waves, microwaves, terahertz, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma rays.
Although the terahertz frequency range (0.1 to 10 THz) was identified in the early 20th century, it has been largely underutilised until recent technological advancements. It is proving to have enormous potential in real-world applications such as sensing, imaging and communications.
A research group at the forefront of terahertz technology is the Terahertz Engineering Laboratory based at The University of Adelaide. They have been engineering solutions that merge microwave and optical techniques to develop terahertz devices for unique applications in high-speed wireless communications, standoff sensing and radioastronomy.
Group Leader, Professor Withawat Withayachumnankul said “we mainly focus on device functionality including bandwidth and efficiency. We can envisage point-to-point wireless communications with data rates above 1 terabit per second over a few kilometers. On the sensing front, we can anticipate human-safe see-through scanners for security inspections, quality control, and agriculture production. The terahertz band habours important molecular signatures, underlying its application in radioastronomy.”
The Terahertz Engineering Laboratory focuses on designing and measurement, while outsourcing fabrication. With its advanced fabrication facilities and expertise, the perfect collaboration partner is the South Australian node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF-SA) at UniSA’s Mawson Lakes campus.
Withawat said “ANFF-SA’s knowledge in fabrication is critical to the success of our projects because we can account for fabrication possibilities and limitations in the design phase. We always need close consultation with ANFF-SA in several ongoing and future projects. Their capabilities truly complement our activities to complete the cycle from concept to design, fabrication and validation. Their advice often includes suggesting alternative methods to overcome fabrication limitations.”
Withawat credits ANFF-SA as instrumental to his research activities and several advanced terahertz devices.
ANFF-SA’s photolithographic processes were utilised for creating terahertz antennas, providing essential patterning capabilities for device development. The research team was also able to realise all-silicon components required for high-performance sensing and communications using deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) to achieve through-silicon via (TSV) structures. “These silicon components are planar and perforated with high precision down to a few microns to achieve performance and functionality,” explained Withawat.
ANFF-SA Microfabrication Team Lead, Dr Jing-Hong (Mike) Pai said “collaborating with the research team, we explored several fabrication routes and provided advice on achieving complex structures while maintaining process reliability. It’s always rewarding to see innovative device concepts come to life through this kind of partnership.”
The components will form part of the necessary foundation hardware in the sophisticated 6G communication which will be the first generation to integrate terahertz frequencies as a crucial component for mainstream communication networks.
6G wireless communication will adopt a multi-band approach with the terahertz spectrum providing backbone capabilities such as the huge bandwidth capacity, sensing integration, and ultra-fast speed due to improved latency. The devices being developed now will be vital to its successful implementation.
ANFF-SA is a world-class micro and nanofabrication facility providing open access to cutting-edge equipment housed in state-of-the-art facilities with support from world-leading experts.
If you require support or assistance with your project or research, please contact us on 08 8302 5226