Real-time terahertz imaging with a single-pixel detector

Terahertz (THz) radiation is poised to have an essential role in many imaging applications, from industrial inspections to medical diagnosis. However, commercialization is prevented by impractical and expensive THz instrumentation. Single-pixel cameras have emerged as alternatives to multi-pixel cameras due to reduced costs and superior durability. Here, by optimizing the modulation geometry and post-processing algorithms, we demonstrate the acquisition of a THz-video (32 × 32 pixels at 6 frames-per-second), shown in real-time, using a single-pixel fiber-coupled photoconductive THz detector. A laser diode with a digital micromirror device shining visible light onto silicon acts as the spatial THz modulator. We mathematically account for the temporal response of the system, reduce noise with a lock-in free carrier-wave modulation and realize quick, noise-robust image undersampling. Since our modifications do not impose intricate manufacturing, require long post-processing, nor sacrifice the time-resolving capabilities of THz-spectrometers, their greatest asset, this work has the potential to serve as a foundation for all future single-pixel THz imaging systems

Global Distribution of Water Vapor and Cloud Cover--Sites for High Performance THz Applications

Absorption of terahertz radiation by atmospheric water vapor is a serious impediment for radio astronomy and for long-distance communications. Transmission in the THz regime is dependent almost exclusively on atmospheric precipitable water vapor (PWV). Though much of the Earth has PWV that is too high for good transmission above 200 GHz, there are a number of dry sites with very low attenuation. We performed a global analysis of PWV with high-resolution measurements from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) on two NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites over the year of 2011. We determined PWV and cloud cover distributions and then developed a model to find transmission and atmospheric radiance as well as necessary integration times in the various windows. We produced global maps over the common THz windows for astronomical and satellite communications scenarios. Notably, we show that up through 1 THz, systems could be built in excellent sites of Chile, Greenland and the Tibetan Plateau, while Antarctic performance is good to 1.6 THz. For a ground-to-space communication link up through 847 GHz, we found several sites in the Continental United States where mean atmospheric attenuation is less than 40 dB; not an insurmountable challenge for a link.Comment: 15 pages, 23 figure

Optical Synthesis of Terahertz and Millimeter-Wave Frequencies with Discrete Mode Diode Lasers

It is shown that optical synthesis of terahertz and millimeter-wave frequencies can be achieved using two-mode and mode-locked discrete mode diode lasers. These edge-emitting devices incorporate a spatially varying refractive index profile which is designed according to the spectral output desired of the laser. We first demonstrate a device which supports two primary modes simultaneously with high spectral purity. In this case sinusoidal modulation of the optical intensity at terahertz frequencies can be obtained. Cross saturation of the material gain in quantum well lasers prevents simultaneous lasing of two modes with spacings in the millimeter-wave region. We show finally that by mode-locking of devices that are designed to support a minimal set of four primary modes, we obtain a sinusoidal modulation of the optical intensity in this frequency region.Comment: 6 page

Chaos-assisted two-octave-spanning microcombs

Since its invention, optical frequency comb has revolutionized a broad range of subjects from metrology to spectroscopy. The recent development of microresonator-based frequency combs (microcombs) provides a unique pathway to create frequency comb systems on a chip. Indeed, microcomb-based spectroscopy, ranging, optical synthesizer, telecommunications and astronomical calibrations have been reported recently. Critical to many of the integrated comb systems is the broad coverage of comb spectra. Here, microcombs of more than two-octave span (450 nm to 2,008 nm) is demonstrated through χ^((2)) and χ^((3)) nonlinearities in a deformed silica microcavity. The deformation lifts the circular symmetry and creates chaotic tunneling channels that enable broadband collection of intracavity emission with a single waveguide. Our demonstration introduces a new degree of freedom, cavity deformation, to the microcomb studies, and our microcomb spectral range is useful for applications in optical clock, astronomical calibration and biological imaging

Robust cell-free mmWave/sub-THz access using minimal coordination and coarse synchronization

This study investigates simpler alternatives to coherent joint transmission for supporting robust connectivity against signal blockage in mmWave/sub-THz access networks. By taking an information-theoretic viewpoint, we demonstrate analytically that with a careful design, full macrodiversity gains and significant SNR gains can be achieved through canonical receivers and minimal coordination and synchronization requirements at the infrastructure side. Our proposed scheme extends non-coherent joint transmission by employing a special form of diversity to counteract artificially induced deep fades that would otherwise make this technique often compare unfavorably against standard transmitter selection schemes. Additionally, the inclusion of an Alamouti-like space-time coding layer is shown to recover a significant fraction of the optimal performance. Our conclusions are based on an insightful multi-point intermittent block fading channel model that enables rigorous ergodic and outage rate analysis, while also considering timing offsets due to imperfect delay compensation. Although simplified, our approach captures the essential features of modern mmWave/sub-THz communications, thereby providing practical design guidelines for realistic systems

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces based system design for future 6G wireless networks

Future sixth generation (6G) wireless networks perceive the THz band as essential to support the high volume of wireless traffic data being generated in the network, thus enabling ultra high transmission rates. However, the behaviour of the THz frequency spectrum affects the propagation occurring in the wireless communication system due to high attenuation, leading to severe propagation losses. Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) are a promising technology to overcome the limitations present in the THz waveband by reshaping the wave direction, thus enabling the signal to propagate towards its intended target. RIS have many applications in wireless systems, specifically in the optimization of the communication network performance when combined with ultra-massive multiple-input multiple-output antennas (UM-MIMO). UMMIMO systems are critical for implementing THz frequencies as the large number of antennas provides high directivity pencil like beams, thereby enabling easy data spread from the transmitter towards the receiver. To achieve low complexity whilst deploying UM-MIMO systems, hybrid precoders must be implemented. This dissertation aims to design and evaluate a RIS-assisted communication model for ultra-massive MIMO systems to extend coverage range and to improve the energy and spectral efficiency of 6G communications. To maximize the achievable rate of the structure, an algorithm will be developed to calculate the phase shifts of the individual RIS elements, and the implementation of various hybrid precoding structures. Several numerical results will be obtained through various simulations and analysed to give insight into which design is best suited for RIS-assisted THz communication system through the achievable rates obtained.As futuras redes sem fios da sexta geração (6G) consideram a frequência Terahertz fundamental para suportar o elevado número de tráfego gerado na rede, permitindo assim elevadas taxas de transmissão de dados. Todavia, o comportamento do espectro de frequências THz condiciona a propagação que ocorre no sistema de comunicação pela sua elevada atenuação, originando graves perdas de propagação. Superfícies inteligentes reconfiguráveis (RIS) são uma tecnologia promissora para ultrapassar as limitações existentes na faixa dos THz ao moldarem a direção da onda, permitindo que o sinal se propague para o destinatário. Os RIS dispõem de inúmeras aplicações nos sistemas sem fios, especificamente na otimização do desempenho da rede de comunicações ao utilizarem antenas ultra massivas de múltipla entradas e saídas. Os sistemas UM-MIMO são fundamentais para implementar frequências THz pelo elevado número de antenas, facilitando a propagação de dados desde o emissor e recetor. A fim de alcançar uma complexidade reduzida nos sistemas UM-MIMO, é necessário implementar pré-codificadores híbridos. Esta dissertação pretende conceber um sistema de comunicação para redes sem fios ultra massivo MIMO assistido por RIS para melhorar a eficiência energética das comunicações 6G e do espectro e o alcance da cobertura. De modo a maximizar a taxa alcançável do modelo, será desenvolvido um algoritmo para calcular a quantização das mudanças de fase dos elementos RIS sendo implementado várias estruturas híbridas de pré-codificação. Os resultados numéricos serão analisados a fim de revelar qual a configuração ideal para o sistema de comunicação THz assistido por RIS mediante as taxas alcançáveis obtidas