Adelaide University & ANFF-SA Drive 6G Terahertz Hardware Development

Researchers at Adelaide University's Terahertz Engineering Laboratory (TEL), in collaboration with the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF-SA) at Mawson Lakes, are developing devices utilizing terahertz waves for future 6G wireless communication. This initiative aims to translate academic research into manufacturable hardware for next-generation telecommunications.

Advancing 6G Wireless Communication

The project involves the design and construction of devices that use terahertz waves, a specific part of the electromagnetic spectrum, for 6G applications. The primary objective is to develop foundational hardware for 6G networks, which will enable significantly increased wireless speeds.

Understanding Terahertz Technology and Its Applications

Terahertz waves are uniquely positioned within the electromagnetic spectrum, residing between microwaves and infrared light. Their accessibility has expanded considerably due to recent engineering and manufacturing advancements. This technology holds potential for a diverse range of applications, including:

• Mobile communications, with aspirations for wireless data rates exceeding one terabit per second over several kilometers.
• Security screening, offering the potential for safe, see-through scanners in security inspections.
• Manufacturing quality control.
• Agricultural monitoring.
• Radio astronomy, by utilizing terahertz frequencies to detect molecular signatures.

Terahertz waves are anticipated to be a key component of future telecommunications, attributed to their bandwidth, sensing capabilities, and low latency.

Collaborative Roles in Development

TEL researchers are primarily responsible for the design and measurement of these innovative devices. In parallel, ANFF-SA specialists provide essential support in the fabrication, refinement, and manufacturing phases.

Professor Withawat Withayachumnankul, TEL Group Leader, noted that ANFF-SA's fabrication expertise is crucial for addressing design challenges and ensuring manufacturing precision. Dr. Jing-Ho (Mike) Pai, ANFF-SA Microfabrication Team Lead, further stated that this collaboration significantly contributes to technological advancements.

Precision Fabrication for Next-Generation Systems

ANFF-SA facilities have been instrumental in creating critical components such as terahertz antennas and silicon components. The fabrication techniques employed include photolithography and deep reactive ion etching.

These processes are vital for producing micron-scale structures, such as through-silicon vias (TSVs), which are highly relevant for both sensing and communication applications.

Dr. Pai highlighted that the precision of silicon components, featuring micron-wide patterns, is necessary for next-generation communication systems and that the collaboration ensures reliability in fabricating complex structures.